Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome is a multiplex risk factor for cardiovascular disease. One of the common aspects of risk reduction is the treatment of hypertension. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a 3 week habituation at moderate vs. low altitude on blood pressure and heart rate in patients with the metabolic syndrome in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Seventy-one male volunteers with a metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned into a moderate altitude (MA) (1,700 m) group with 38 participants (age 54.51 ± 6.81; BMI 31.87 ± 3.55) and a sea level (SL) (200 m) group with 33 participants (age 55.29 ± 7.51; BMI 31.28 ± 2.86) in Austria. RESULTS: In MA as in SL there was a significant reduction in blood pressure. Heart rate was reduced significantly in the SL group during daytime. The pressure rate product was reduced significantly in both groups during day time. Data from the 24 hour holter-ECG monitoring showed a significant reduction of the heart rate during daytime at both altitudes. Bradyarrhythmias significantly increased during nighttime in both groups; however, the differences in the mean values were not statistically significant. Cycle ergometry showed an increase of the relative maximum performance (Wmax/kg) in both study groups but not in the absolute maximum performance (Wmax). A reduction in the diastolic blood pressure could be documented in both groups. However, these differences were not statistically significant between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The 3 week habituation at MA and SL resulted in a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate in both groups. No clinically relevant differences could be determined. Therefore, habituation of several weeks at moderate altitude appears to be safe and can be recommended for patients with a metabolic syndrome.