THE EFFECT OF WALKING EXERCISE ON REDUCING BLOOD PRESSURE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH HYPERTENSION

Abstract

 Regular 10-minute brisk walking significantly reduces blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. Unmanaged high blood pressure can lead to organ damage and health complications. Worldwide, around 1.13 billion people have hypertension, expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2025, causing an estimated 9.4 million deaths annually. This quasi-experimental study involved 26 participants from UIN KPKM Syarif Hidayatullah Reni Jaya health services coverage area, with 13 in the intervention and control groups each. Blood pressure was measured using a digital sphygmomanometer before and after the intervention, analyzed using t-tests. The intervention group showed significant reductions in systolic (7.3 mmHg) and diastolic (3.77 mmHg) blood pressure, with p-values of 0.0028 and 0.038, respectively. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed between the intervention and control groups, with p-values of 0.0024 and 0.043 for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. In conclusion, brisk walking for 10 minutes is associated with decreased blood pressure, emphasizing its importance in managing hypertension non-pharmacologically.