Abstract P115: Increased Diastolic Blood Pressure Post-mild Exercise is Associated With Early Structural and Functional Cardiovascular Abnormalities

Abstract

Background: Previous research has suggested that an increase in SBP post-mild exercise is correlated with early structural and functional cardiovascular abnormalities. Purpose: To determine if an increase in diastolic blood pressure post-mild exercise (DBP PME) is associated with early structural and functional cardiovascular abnormalities. Methods: 1416 untreated, asymptomatic subjects were screened for early indicators of cardiovascular disease using the Early CVD Risk Score (ECVDRS), also known as Rasmussen Risk Score (RRS), which consists of a panel of 10 tests; large (C1) and small (C2) artery stiffness, resting BP and post mild exercise (PME), CIMT, abdominal aorta and left ventricle ultrasounds, retinal photography, microalbumuria, ECG, and pro-BNP. 267 subjects were normotensive. Of those subjects, 12 had a increase in DBP PME, 23 had no change in DBP PME, and 232 had a decline in DBP PME. Focus was placed on the three known tests recommended for early CVD assessment; C1, C2 and CIMT. Results: As seen in Figure 1.0, a rise in diastolic blood pressure PME is statistically evident for an increased risk of early structural and functional cardiovascular abnormalities. A significant increase in abnormalities was noted with C2 and CIMT with subjects whose DBP increased PME. Conclusion: Assessment of diastolic blood pressure PME is an easy, noninvasive, inexpensive test that can be performed by any health care practitioner to evaluate the risk of CVD in patients. Any increase in diastolic blood pressure PME should warrant physicians on the urgency to further investigate and treat patients to divert the progression of CVD.