Post exercise hypotension is sustained during subsequent bouts of mild exercise and simulated activities of daily living

Our purpose was to examine whether the transient suppression of blood press ure that occurs during the hours following acute exercise (termed post exer cise hypotension) persists throughout an active period of subsequent mild e xercise and simulated activities of daily living (ADL) using direct measure ments of arterial pressure. Eight recreationally active participants, with low borderline systolic hypertension completed 30 min of cycle ergometry at 70% (V) over dotO(2Peak) and 30 min of quiet seated rest on separate days (randomised order). Following exercise and rest, subjects completed a 70-mi n protocol of mild exercise and simulated ADL. Blood pressure was monitored throughout by catheterisation of the radial artery. Exercise resulted in l ower systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) throu ghout the post exercise ADL period compared to control measurements taken w ithout prior exercise. The maximal difference in SBP, DBP and MAP between t rials was 26, 7 and 13 mm Hg respectively. Average differences in SBP, DBP and MAP between trials were 16, 5 and 8 mm Hg respectively. This relative h ypotension occurred in spite of higher heart rates during the ADL measureme nt period following the prior exercise. Furthermore, many of the blood pres sure measurements during the post exercise period were significantly lower than the pre-exercise values during the same trial. We conclude that post e xercise hypotension persists during mild exercise and simulated ADL. Althou gh the duration of this relative hypotension needs to be determined, acute exercise may serve as a non-pharmacological aid in the treatment of hyperte nsion.