EFFECTS OF ACE-INHIBITION ON ENDURANCE EXERCISE HEMODYNAMICS IN TRAINED SUBJECTS WITH MILD HYPERTENSION

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of chronic angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition on haemodynamics and left ventricular per formance during long-lasting exercise at the anaerobic threshold. For this purpose exercise haemodynamics and left ventricular performance w ere assessed in 14 physically trained hypertensives (aged 26 y) before and after 3 months on quinapril 20 mg oner daily. During exercise int raarterial blood pressure was monitored using the Oxford method and le ft ventricular dimensions were measured by M-mode echocardiography. Qu inapril significantly decreased mean blood pressure during the initial incremental phase of the exercise protocol and caused a slight, nonsi gnificant decline during the steady-state phase. The drug-induced fall in blood pressure was accounted for mainly by change in cardiac outpu t. Exercise duration and left ventricular performance were not affecte d by treatment. In conclusion, quinapril 20 mg once daily smoothed the blood pressure increase which occurs during the initial phase of vigo rous endurance exercise. This result was achieved without affecting ph ysical performance or left ventricular contractility.