Blood pressure variations in the inferior limbs arterial circulation in athletes over 60 years old, after stress test.

A method for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial diseases is the evaluation, using Doppler flowmetry, of the systolic blood pressure measured at the ankle after an effort. Blood pressure responses in healthy and in artieriopathic subjects, which allow the diagnosis of arterial peripheral disease, are standardized referring to "One Minute Test". We analyzed 64 subjects over 60 years old, 16 men and 48 women, all healthy and all belonging to a Sport Society. All subjects were tested with "One Minute Test" and they gave normal answer to the test, with an increased blood pressure in both inferior limbs after treadmill stress test. We evaluated the blood pressure in the limb where it was found higher (Delta PA), finding out a wide variability of Delta PA, not correlated with the risk factors that can influence vascular compliance: aging, smoking, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. The only significative difference found grouping the subjects with the same risk factors, isolated or associated, was a higher APA when hypercholesterolemia was associated with hypertension than when hypercholesterolemia was associated with smoking. It is then possible that the variability of Delta PA that has an average value of 25-30 mmHg, but in the single case is largely wide, could find an answer in a temporary vascular hypertone that is mediated by peripheric nervous system and it is activated by stress test.