The relationship between arterial stifness and exercise induced hypertension

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine, in normotensive subjects, whether basal arterial stiffness (AS) parameters is a predictor of exercise induced hypertension (EIHT). Methods: The participants of this study were normotensive adults without cardiovascular diseases, who had undergone exercise tests. AS parameters of patients were measured by Spygmocor applanation tonometer device before the exercise test. AS parameters evaluated with aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (Alx@75). Treadmill exercise tests were done by modified Bruce protocol. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at every stage and recovery 1., 3. ve 5. minutes. EIHT, defined as SBP >190 mmHg for men and SBP >170 mmHg for women. Recovery SBP ratio, defined as ratio of recovery SBP at 5th minute and peak exercise SBP is 0.90 or greater. Results: The participants were 167 women and men (%71.3) with mean age of 35±11,9 years. EIHT, occured in 14 men (%70) and 6 women (%30). In term of demographic data, only body mass index (BMI) was significantly increased in EIHT group. AS parameters were similar in both groups. At the group of abnormal recovery SBP response, PWV values had trend toward of increasing. But this increasing was not significant (p=0.052). Alx@75 values were not significant in both groups. Conclusion: No relationship was found between EIHT and AS at young individuals. It is because of the small number of patients and patients can not be fully reflect HT population. Because of patients with low BMI and younger in our study, the results can not be generalized to all age groups. Therefore, releated about this issue wide studies are needed.