Improved Fitness May Delay Blood Pressure Increases as Men Age

Systolic blood pressure increases with age, but men with higher fitness levels experience abnormal systolic blood pressure (>120 mm Hg) later than those with low fitness levels. The finding comes from a study of 13,953 men 20–90 years of age who were initially free of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer and were followed over a 36-year period (1970–2006). The Journal of the American College of Cardiologystudy also found that men in the higher fitness category had lower body mass index scores, percent of body fat, and cholesterol, compared to men who were less fit.