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The exercise pressor reflex in hypertensive humans
Author(s) -
Sausen Mark Thomas,
Delaney Erin,
Stillabower Michael,
Farquhar William
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1210.7
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , reflex , cardiology , cold pressor test , mean arterial pressure , diastole , endocrinology , heart rate
During dynamic handgrip exercise (DHE), there is an increase in blood pressure (BP) mediated by “central command” (a neural drive originating in the brain) and the “exercise pressor reflex (EPR)” (a neural drive originating in skeletal muscle). The EPR has been shown to be overactive in hypertensive rats. Purpose: To examine the EPR in hypertensive (HTN) humans during DHE and post‐exercise ischemia (PEI). Hypothesis: The exercise‐ and ischemia‐induced increase in BP will be greater in HTN compared to normotensive (NTN) adults. Methods: 12 HTN (64±1 yrs) and 15 NTN (65±1 yrs) adults were recruited. Beat‐to‐beat mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic BP (SBP), and diastolic BP (DBP) were measured non‐invasively at the finger (Finometer). DHE at 60% of maximal voluntary contraction was performed for 3 minutes followed by 2 minutes of PEI (upper‐arm occlusion cuff inflated to 200 mmHg to trap metabolites and isolate the EPR). A repeated‐measures ANOVA was used to examine differences between conditions and groups. Results (mean±SEM): DHE resulted in increased MAP that was not different between groups (HTN: Δ=16±3 vs. NTN: Δ=12±3 mmHg). During PEI the change in MAP, SBP, and DBP from baseline was greater in HTN than NTN (MAP: Δ=12±3 vs. Δ=6±1 mmHg, SBP: Δ=17±4 vs. Δ=9±2 mmHg, DBP: Δ=7±2 vs. Δ=3±1 mmHg; p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest HTN humans have an overactive EPR. Supported by NIH grant RO3 AG‐23836.