Introduction:
Arterial hypertension remains one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Regular physical activity and lifestyle modification are considered essential components of hypertension management alongside pharmacological treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of physical activity and cardiac rehabilitation on blood pressure control, health behaviors, and the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment in patients with arterial hypertension.

Material and methods:
The study included 70 patients with arterial hypertension (59% women, 41% men), divided into two age groups: 45–59 and ≥60 years. Conducted at the Municipal Hospital in Bielsko-Biała between May and November 2023, the study used a 36-question survey assessing physical activity, treatment, and anthropometric data. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results:
No significant differences were observed in systolic blood pressure reduction between groups (p = 0.666). Significant differences were found for diastolic blood pressure reduction (p = 0.003; η² = 0.22), with the greatest reduction observed in patients aged 45–59 years combining pharmacotherapy with regular physical activity (5.79 ± 3.22 mmHg). Physically active participants also reported healthier lifestyle behaviors and lower pharmacological burden more frequently.

Conclusions:
Regular physical activity was associated with improved diastolic blood pressure control and healthier lifestyle behaviors in hypertensive patients, particularly among younger individuals combining exercise with pharmacotherapy. Further large prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.