P-419: Stress test characteristics in normotensives with hypertensive response to exercise

• Published in: American journal of hypertension 2005-05, Vol.18 (S4), p.157A-158A
• Main Authors: Zarkos, Ilias, Vrana, Irini, Thireos, Elefterios, Nearchou, Nearchos, Livieratos, Gerasimos, Loulias, Nikos, Tolis, Christos, Mitropoulou, Aikaterini, Tolis, Vasilis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hypertensive Response; Sympathovagal Tone
• ISSN: 0895-7061; 1941-7225; 1879-1905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjhyper.2005.03.437

Exaggerated BP response to exercise is believed to predict future hypertension and probably cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We studied specific stress-test parameters related to autonomic nervous activity in the heart. We evaluated retrospectively, 48 subjects, group A (36 male,12 female, mean age 58,42±11,29yrs), undergoing exercise testing for various reasons, with exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise. All of them exercised a symptoms limited exercise test according the Bruce protocol using a 2000 Marquette treadmill. Hypertensive response was defined as systolic blood pressure>220mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure>105mmHg during peak exercise. Positive for ischemia or non-diagnostic tests were excluded from the analysis. We compared them with 115 subjects, group C(59 male,56 female, mean age 52,01±10,62yrs) with normal blood pressure response to exercise, who underwent the exercise test in the same period. The parameters analyzed were: exercise time(ET),the ratio achieved heart rate to predicted heart rate(AHR/PHR),heart rate recovery(HRR)defined as the difference between achieved peak heart rate and the heart rate at 1′ recovery time, and QTc during rest(QTcR),peak exercise(QTcP),1′ recovery time (QTc1RT). Our findings using paired t-test(SPSS version 10.0)are shown below:Our results suggest the hypothesis that sympathovagal tone is altered in healthy individuals with hypertensive response to exercise.