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Isometric Handgrip as an Adjunct for Blood Pressure Control: a Primer for Clinicians

  • Device-Based Approaches for Hypertension (M Schlaich, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Considered a global health crisis by the World Health Organization, hypertension (HTN) is the leading risk factor for death and disability. The majority of treated patients do not attain evidence-based clinical targets, which increases the risk of potentially fatal complications. HTN is the most common chronic condition seen in primary care; thus, implementing therapies that lower and maintain BP to within-target ranges is of tremendous public health importance. Isometric handgrip (IHG) training is a simple intervention endorsed by the American Heart Association as a potential adjuvant BP-lowering treatment. With larger reductions noted in HTN patients, IHG training may be especially beneficial for those who (a) have difficulties continuing or increasing drug-based treatment; (b) are unable to attain BP control despite optimal treatment; (c) have pre-HTN or low-risk stage I mild HTN; and (d) wish to avoid medications or have less pill burden. IHG training is not routinely prescribed in clinical practice. To shift this paradigm, we focus on (1) the challenges of current HTN management strategies; (2) the effect of IHG training; (3) IHG prescription; (4) characterizing the population for whom it works best; (5) clinical relevance; and (6) important next steps to foster broader implementation by clinical practitioners.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada

    Cheri L. McGowan

  2. Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Cheri L. McGowan, Robert D. Brook & Elizabeth A. Jackson

  3. School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA

    Cheri L. McGowan & Phillip D. Levy

  4. Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    David N. Proctor

  5. Department of Life & Sport Sciences, University of Greenwich, Medway Campus, London, UK

    Ian Swaine

Authors
  1. Cheri L. McGowan
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  2. David N. Proctor
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  3. Ian Swaine
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  4. Robert D. Brook
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  5. Elizabeth A. Jackson
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  6. Phillip D. Levy
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Correspondence to Cheri L. McGowan.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Device-Based Approaches for Hypertension

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McGowan, C.L., Proctor, D.N., Swaine, I. et al. Isometric Handgrip as an Adjunct for Blood Pressure Control: a Primer for Clinicians. Curr Hypertens Rep 19, 51 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-017-0748-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-017-0748-8

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