Sarcopenia as a risk factor for hypertension.

ABSTRACT

Sarcopenia, defined as progressive loss of muscle mass, function, and strength is an aging-related disease that share common pathophysiology with frailty. Sarcopenia is one of the risk factors of hypertension. Insulin resistance, oxidative stress, imbalance of catabolism and anabolism, and chronic inflammation are the underlying mechanisms that explain the association between hypertension and sarcopenia. Exercise is beneficial for older hypertensive patients in prevention of sarcopenia and improvement to normal state. It also attributes to cardiovascular risk reduction and prevention of falls. In this review article, we summarize latest issues about sarcopenia and exercise.