The Effect of Isometric Hand Grip on Blood Pressure in Post Menopausal Hypertension

Abstract
Background: The rate of hypertension increases after menopause. Whether estrogen and progesterone deficiency associated with menopause play a role in determining a worst blood pressure (BP). Hypertension (HTN) is the leading risk factor for mortality and morbidity. Isometric handgrip (IHG) training is a simple intervention endorsed by the American Heart Association as a potential adjuvant BP-lowering treat-ment.
Aim of Study: This current study was designed to investi-gate the effect of isometric hand grip exercise on blood pressure on postmenopausal hypertension.
Subjects and Methods: Forty post menopausal women participated in this study they complained from hypertension (diagnosed clinically byynecologist/physician), confirmed by sphygmomanometer instrument. They were selected randomly from outpatient clinic at Luxor general hospital, their age ranged from 50 to 65 years old, their body mass index were not exceed 35kg/m. and their blood pressure ranged from 140/90 to 180/110mm/Hg. They were divided randomly into two groups equal in numbers, group A consisted of 20 post menopausal women who received antihypertensive drugs and isometric hand grip exercise (4 sessions/week for 6 weeks). While group B consisted of 20 postmenopausal women who received anti hypertensive drugs only. Blood pressure was assessed by stethoscope and mercury sphygmomanometer for all patients in both groups before and after treatment.
Results: The result of this study revealed that, there was a statistically highly significant decrease in the mean value of SBP in both group (A&B) with percentage of improvement 12.0% and 8.4%, respectively. There was significant decrease in the mean value of DBP in both group (A&B) with percentage of improvement 16.27% and 9.47%, respectively.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that the isometric hand grip exercise is a simple, cost free and non pharmacological method in reducing blood pressure in post menopausal women and can be used as adjunct method in treatment of hypertension in postmenopausal women.