Exercise, Sports and Hypertension

This book presents the current knowledge on the mechanisms by which exercise lowers blood pressure in hypertension and on its effects on the heart and arteries. In addition, it focuses on the optimal exercise protocols, the international consensus on clinical implementation, and the clinical indications for special populations (obese, diabetic etc). It also addresses possible drawbacks of exercise on left ventricular structure and function. Many experts in epidemiology, patophysiology and clinical research have contributed in preparing the chapters, with the main purpose of guiding clinicians in the optimal application of the present knowledge and to stimulate scientists to fill the gaps in knowledge by performing further research. The book is addressed not only to specialists in Hypertension, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Metabolism, and Nephrology, but also to general practitioners and all healthcare professionals working in the field of rehabilitation medicine.