Do we really need high frequency of physical activity to keep blood pressure at good levels? Results of the Brazilian national survey

Purpose To investigate the association between frequency of physical activity (PA) and blood pressure values in the Brazilian population. Methods A cross-sectional study of 25,920 males and 34,282 females was analyzed. Multiple linear regression was applied to test the association of different frequencies of PA and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results In the adjusted model, subjects who reported only one weekly session of moderate-intensity PA presented systolic blood pressure on average 2.5 mm (men: β = − 2.48 mmhg women: β = − 2.48 mmhg) lower than those inactive subjects. However, diastolic blood pressure showed significant results only among those who reported practicing three sessions or more of moderate (men: β = − 1.97 mmhg, women: β = − 2.65 mmhg) or vigorous intensity PA (men: β = − 0.96, women: β = − 1.79 mmhg). Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that the low frequency of physical activity may have a similar protective effect, on resting systolic blood pressure, to that observed in individuals who have a weekly frequency equal to or greater than three weekly sessions.