Factors affecting post-exercise hypotension in normotensive and hypertensive humans

Background Post-exercise hypotension has been extensively described under l aboratory conditions. However, studies investigating the persistence of thi s post-exercise decrease in blood pressure for longer periods have produced controversial results. The present investigation was conducted to verify t he effect of a single bout of exercise on ambulatory blood pressure and to identify potential factors that might influence this post-exercise ambulato ry blood pressure fall. Design The study was a randomized controlled clinical trial, Methods Thirty normotensive and 23 hypertensive subjects were submitted to two ambulatory blood pressure monitorings (using the SpaceLabs 90207, Space Labs, Redmond, Washington, USA), which were performed after 45 min of seate d rest (control session) or cycling exercise at 50% peak oxygen uptake (exe rcise session), Results Normotensive subjects demonstrated a lower 24 h blood pressure leve l in the exercise session. Hypertensive patients showed no significant diff erence in ambulatory blood pressure level between the two experimental sess ions. Further data analysis revealed that approximately 65% of the subjects in both groups experienced a fall in blood pressure after exercise. Moreov er, in the normotensive subjects, this blood pressure fall was significantl y and positively correlated with clinic and ambulatory blood pressure, and negatively correlated with weight and body mass index. The blood pressure r esponse to exercise was also greater in women. In the hypertensive patients , the post-exercise blood pressure decrease was significantly and positivel y correlated with clinic and ambulatory blood pressure as well as with the peak oxygen uptake, and negatively correlated with age and body mass index. Conclusions The post-exercise ambulatory blood pressure fall observed in no rmotensive and hypertensive humans depends on individual characteristics. M oreover, in both normotensive and hypertensive humans, post-exercise ambula tory hypotension is greater in subjects with a higher initial blood pressur e lever. Blood Press Monit 5:255-262 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins .