EARLY IMPAIRMENT OF THE CARDIOPULMONARY EXERCISE CAPACITY OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

A reduction of functional capacity has been reported in severe hyperte nsion. However, the reduced peripheral vasodilation observed in the ea rly stages of hypertension, could also impair the blood supply to exer cising muscles in mild hypertensives presenting a normal left ventricu lar mass. In this paper the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity of early hypertensives has been investigated. Thirty mild hypertensives (9 in stage I and 21 in stage II according to WHO) and 36 normotensives divi ded into two age and weight-matched groups, were investigated. All sub jects underwent a stress test according to the modified Bruce protocol with contemporary assessment of breath-by-breath expiratory gas analy sis and measurement of the anaerobic threshold (AT) and of the oxygen consumption at peak exercise (Pvo(1)). Exercise duration and maximal w orkload, in stage I hypertensives, were similar to controls but the O- 2 consumption was significantly reduced in comparison to controls (P = 0.043). On the contrary, in stage II patients exercise duration, maxi mal workload, Pvo(2) and AT were significantly lower than in normotens ives. No relationship between myocardial hypertrophy and ergometric or ventilatory (Pvo(2), AT, VE) parameters was found. In conclusion an e arly impairment of the aerobic exercise performance is detectable in u ncomplicated (stage I WHO) mild hypertensives.