High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a serious health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death. Many factors can contribute to high blood pressure, but one of the most important is chronic stress.
When people experience long-term stress, their body reacts in ways that can raise blood pressure. However, scientists do not fully understand the biological process behind this link. If researchers can figure out how stress leads to hypertension, they may be able to develop new treatments to prevent or control the condition.
A recent study from Juntendo University in Japan, published in Acta Physiologica on January 13, 2025, has shed light on this issue.
The researchers, led by Professor Hidefumi Waki and his colleagues Dr. Keisuke Tomita and Dr. Ko Yamanaka, found that exercise helps prevent stress-induced high blood pressure by restoring the function of a key gene in the brain called Stat3. This gene plays an important role in regulating emotions and blood pressure in a part of the brain called the amygdala.
The amygdala is an almond-shaped region in the brain that helps process emotions like fear and anxiety. It also plays a role in controlling the body’s cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) system. When someone is under long-term stress, the amygdala signals the body to raise blood pressure, which over time can lead to hypertension.
To study this process, researchers conducted an experiment on rats. They exposed the animals to stress for three weeks to see how it affected their blood pressure. Some rats were given the opportunity to run on a wheel whenever they wanted, while others did not exercise. After three weeks, the researchers measured their blood pressure and analyzed gene activity in the amygdala.
The results were clear: the rats that experienced chronic stress had significantly higher blood pressure. At the same time, the activity of the Stat3 gene in their amygdala was much lower than normal. However, in the rats that exercised daily, blood pressure remained normal, and Stat3 gene levels were restored.
To further understand the role of Stat3, the researchers conducted another test. They blocked Stat3 activity in the amygdala of rats that were not exposed to stress. Surprisingly, these rats developed high blood pressure, even though they were not stressed. This finding suggests that Stat3 is essential for keeping blood pressure under control.
Professor Waki explained that exercise might protect the brain by reducing inflammation and helping nerve cells function better. This process could be why physical activity restores Stat3 levels and prevents stress-related hypertension.
The study offers new insights into why exercise is beneficial for heart health. While doctors have long recommended regular physical activity to lower blood pressure, this research suggests that exercise may also help prevent stress-related hypertension by improving brain function.
It also raises the possibility that future treatments for high blood pressure could target Stat3 activity in the brain.
However, the researchers caution that more studies are needed to confirm these results in humans. They also want to investigate whether different types of exercise—or even medications—could boost Stat3 activity to help people with high blood pressure.
The key takeaway from this study is simple: exercise doesn’t just help your body stay fit—it also protects your brain and heart. If you’re dealing with stress, getting regular physical activity might be one of the best ways to keep your blood pressure under control and improve overall health.
The research findings can be found in Acta Physiologica.
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