Physically Active Lifestyle Attenuates Impairments on Lung Function and Mechanics in Hypertensive Older Adults

Highlights This is the first study demonstrating that systemic arterial hypertension in older adults negatively impacts not only lung function and mechanics. In addition, this study shows that a physically active lifestyle prevents the decline of lung function and mechanics in older adults. What are the main findings? Systemic arterial hypertension negatively affects not only the lung function but also lung mechanics. A physically active lifestyle by older adults prevents the impairment of lung function and mechanics induced by systemic arterial hypertension. What is the implication of the main finding? Medical doctors who diagnose their patients, especially older adults with systemic arterial hypertension, should also check for lung function and mechanics. Medical doctors should advise their patients with systemic arterial hypertension to keep an active lifestyle to avoid hypertension-induced loss of lung function.Highlights This is the first study demonstrating that systemic arterial hypertension in older adults negatively impacts not only lung function and mechanics. In addition, this study shows that a physically active lifestyle prevents the decline of lung function and mechanics in older adults. What are the main findings? Systemic arterial hypertension negatively affects not only the lung function but also lung mechanics. A physically active lifestyle by older adults prevents the impairment of lung function and mechanics induced by systemic arterial hypertension. What is the implication of the main finding? Medical doctors who diagnose their patients, especially older adults with systemic arterial hypertension, should also check for lung function and mechanics. Medical doctors should advise their patients with systemic arterial hypertension to keep an active lifestyle to avoid hypertension-induced loss of lung function.Highlights This is the first study demonstrating that systemic arterial hypertension in older adults negatively impacts not only lung function and mechanics. In addition, this study shows that a physically active lifestyle prevents the decline of lung function and mechanics in older adults. What are the main findings? Systemic arterial hypertension negatively affects not only the lung function but also lung mechanics. A physically active lifestyle by older adults prevents the impairment of lung function and mechanics induced by systemic arterial hypertension. What is the implication of the main finding? Medical doctors who diagnose their patients, especially older adults with systemic arterial hypertension, should also check for lung function and mechanics. Medical doctors should advise their patients with systemic arterial hypertension to keep an active lifestyle to avoid hypertension-induced loss of lung function.Abstract Aim: Physical activity attenuates hypertension in older adults, but its impact on pulmonary function and mechanics in hypertensive older adults is unknown. The study seeks to understand whether a physically active lifestyle can improve respiratory capacity, the mechanical efficiency of the lungs, and, consequently, the quality of life of these individuals, comparing data between groups of active and sedentary hypertensive older adults. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. We evaluated 731 older adults, stratified into two initial groups: hypertensive older adults (HE; n = 445) and non-hypertensive older adults (NHE; n = 286). For a secondary analysis, we used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to sub-stratify HE and NHE into four groups: physically inactive hypertensive (PIH; n = 182), active hypertensive (AH; n = 110), physically inactive non-hypertensive (PINH; n = 104), and active non-hypertensive (ANH; n = 65). Lung function was measured by spirometry, and lung mechanics were assessed by impulse oscillometry. Results: Hypertensive older adults presented reduced lung function compared to non-hypertensive older adults, and physical inactivity accentuated this decline. Regarding pulmonary mechanics, hypertensive older adults had higher resistance of the entire respiratory system (R5 Hz), the central airways (R20 Hz), and peripheral airways (R5-20 Hz), which may trigger bronchoconstriction. Conclusions: Hypertension is associated with impaired lung function and mechanics in older adults, and a physically active lifestyle attenuates these dysfunctions.