Aerobic exercise training does not modify large-artery compliance in isolated systolic hypertension

The present study characterized large-artery properties in patients with is olated systolic hypertension (ISH) and determined the efficacy of exercise training in modifying these properties. Twenty patients (10 male and 10 fem ale) with stage I ISH and 20 age- and gender-matched control subjects were recruited, and large-artery properties were assessed noninvasively. Ten ISH patients (5 male and 5 female) were enrolled in a randomized crossover stu dy comparing 8 weeks of moderate intensity cycling with 8 weeks of sedentar y activity. Brachial and carotid systolic, diastolic, mean, and pulse press ures were higher in the ISH group than in the control group. Systemic arter ial compliance (0.43 +/-0.04 versus 0.29 +/-0.02 arbitrary compliance units for the control versus ISH groups, respectively; P=0.01) was lower, and ca rotid-to-femoral pulse-wave velocity (9.67 +/-0.36 versus 11.43 +/-0.51 m . s(-1) for the control versus ISH groups, respectively; P=0.007), input imp edance (2.39 +/-0.19 versus 3.27 +/-0.34 mm Hg . s . cm(-1) for the control versus ISH groups, respectively; P=0.04), and characteristic impedance (1. 67 +/-0.17 versus 2.34 +/-0.27 mm Hg . s . cm(-1) for the control versus IS H groups, respectively; P=0.05) were higher in the ISH group than in the co ntrol group. Training increased maximal oxygen consumption by 13 +/-5% (P=0 .04) and maximum workload by 8 +/-4% (P=0.05); however, there was no effect on arterial mechanical properties, blood lipids, or left ventricular mass or function. These results suggest that the large-artery stiffening associa ted with ISH is resistant to modification through short-term aerobic traini ng.