Relationship Between Hypertension Status and Physical Fitness Including Cardiovascular Function in Korean Men

Background: We investigated the relationships between hypertension and physical fitness, including cardiovascular function, in Korean men. Methods: This study included 2,006 men older than 20 years who visited a health promotion center for comprehensive medical and physical fitness checkups, including a cardiovascular function test, between 2006 and 2010. Prehypertension and hypertension were diagnosed according to the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure VII report. Results: The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 41.7% and 23.6%, respectively. After adjusting for age, body mass index, and weekly frequencies of drinking, smoking, and exercise, we determined a significant association between prehypertension and increased resting heart rate (p < 0.001), double product (i.e., heart rate x systolic blood pressure; p < 0.001), vertical jump (p = 0.027), and sit-and-reach distance (p = 0.004). There was a significant association between hypertension and increased resting heart rate (p < 0.001), double product (p < 0.001), and sit-and-reach distance (p = 0.013). Conclusions: Cardiovascular functions were associated with the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension. Since this is the case, we recommend aerobic exercise for cardiovascular function more to prevent or manage hypertension than for improving physical fitness variables.