The effects of aerobic training on ambulatory blood pressure, blood pressure variability, and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with and without multimorbidity: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity represents significant public health challenges, particularly in postmenopausal women, who experience increased risks for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases because of hormonal changes. While exercise therapy has shown promise in enhancing health outcomes for individuals with multimorbidity, evidence of its effectiveness in this specific population remains limited. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of a 12-week aerobic training program on ambulatory blood pressure, blood pressure variability, and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with and without cardiometabolic multimorbidity. METHODS: A controlled, quasi-experimental study was conducted with 41 women divided into two groups: SINGLE (one cardiometabolic condition; n = 18) and MULTI (multimorbidity; n = 23). Participants underwent aerobic training three times a week. Ambulatory blood pressure, blood pressure variability, and arterial stiffness were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: A significant reduction in diastolic nocturnal dipping was observed only in the MULTI group (interaction P = 0.019), decreasing from 10 ± 12% to 7 ± 9%. Both groups showed a significant reduction in systolic (SINGLE: 21 to 8; MULTI: 19 to 7) and diastolic morning surge (SINGLE: 16 to 11; MULTI: 16 to 6) (time P < 0.001). No interaction effect was observed in arterial stiffness parameters. An exercise intervention effect ( P = 0.001) indicated an increase in augmentation index (%) in both groups following aerobic training. CONCLUSION: A 12-week aerobic program improved morning surge blood pressure in postmenopausal women. However, the MULTI group showed reduced nocturnal dipping.