Cardiovascular Response During Exercise In Patients With Hypertension And Patients With Hypertension With Diabetes

Abstract

PURPOSE: Heart rate product (RPP) can be used to predict cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and can be regarded as an index for continuous monitoring of ejection fraction and myocardial oxygen consumption. Exercise can improve patients’ cardiovascular function and reduce the risk of having CVD. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) of patients who suffer from hypertension or hypertension with diabetes mellitus during exercise and at post-exercise recovery period. METHODS: This study recruited 85 diagnosed hypertension subjects and diagnosed hypertension with diabetes mellitus subjects (40-69 years of age), who were divided into hypertension group (HTN, n = 66) and hypertension with diabetes mellitus group (HDM, n = 19). The modified Bruce protocol was adopted in this study, in which patients pedaled the cycle ergometer, starting from the level of 25W, for 3min per stage and then increasing the levels gradually. HR, BP, RPE and oxygen saturation (SPO2) were measured at rest, during exercise and at recovery and RPP and pulse pressure difference (SBP minus DBP) were calculated. RESULTS: (1) The HTN group had a significantly lower resting HR than the HDM group (P<0.05, 76.12±10.73 vs 86.50±16.80 bpm, respectively). Resting RPP is significantly lower in HTN group than in HDM group(P<0.05, 88.30±26.57 vs 106.50±40.44 times· mmHg/100, respectively) (2) RPP at 50W is significantly lower in the HTN group , compared with the HDM group. (P<0.05, 160.86±41.10 vs 186.68±29.86 times· mmHg/100, respectively) (3) SBP at 100W (P<0.05, 186.62±17.10 vs 206.25±17.58 mmHg, respectively) and pulse pressure difference at 100W (P<0.05, 97.00 ± 18.87 vs 127.25 ± 25.38 mmHg, respectively) were significantly lower in HTN group. (4) The HTN group had a significantly lower pulse pressure at the time of 5-minute post-exercise recovery than the HDM group (P<0.05, 54.29 ± 15.54 vs 72.59 ± 28.71 mmHg, respectively). (5) SBP at the time of 15-minute post-exercise recovery in HTN group were significantly higher than in the HDM group (P<0.05, 121.81 ± 13.70 vs 111.78 ± 8.94mmHg, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The responses of heart rate and blood pressure of patients with hypertension was superior to those with hypertension with diabetes both in exercise and at post-exercise recovery period.