Can exercise potentiate the effects of habitual medicines to lower blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood glucose?

ABSTRACT There is an increasing number of well-informed doctors who, in addition to prescribing medicines, advise patients to exercise. As a result, many middle-aged individuals are exercising and taking medicines. However, patients and doctors are not always aware of the possible interactions between these two therapies. This review presents the most current information on the interactions between exercise and the prevalent oral medications taken by individuals with metabolic syndrome. These medications are angiotensin inhibitors to treat hypertension, statins to treat dyslipidemia, and metformin to treat type 2 diabetes. Epidemiological associations between medication and exercise are also presented, along with a discussion of randomized intervention studies that address cause–effect. Conclusions based on the available data are also presented in figures to better describe the medicine–exercise interactions.