Ps-bpp02-1: effects of increased arterial stiffness on hemodynamic response during and after submaximal step exercise test in middle-aged normotensive individuals

Objective: This study was designed to examine the effects of increased arterial stiffness on hemodynamic response during and after simple step exercise test in middle-aged normotensive individuals. Design and method: The study participants consisted of 819 untreated normotensive individuals (aged 54.8 years; 39.6% men) without a history of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and renal disease. The participants underwent a submaximal step exercise test (25 steps/min for 2 min). Brachial arterial blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate were measured at 1-min interval before, during, and after the step exercise test. During the end of exercise (exercise SBP) and 2 min after exercise (recovery SBP) were evaluated. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an index of arterial stiffness using an oscillometric device. Results: The mean values of resting SBP, exercise SBP, and recovery SBP were 121 ± 12 mmHg, 153 ± 17 mmHg, and 130 ± 14 mmHg, respectively. The individuals with increased baPWV (> = 1400 cm/s, n = 305) showed significantly higher exercise SBP and recovery SBP than those with normal baPWV (Exercise, 162 ± 16 mmHg vs. 148 ± 16 mmHg, P < 0.001; Recovery, 138 ± 13 mmHg vs. 125 ± 13 mmHg, P < 0.001). The odds ratios for an exaggerated exercise SBP (> = 180 mmHg) and delayed recovery SBP (> = 150 mmHg) in individuals with increased baPWV were 2.7 (95%CI, 1.8–4.9; P = 0.001) and 3.3 (95%CI, 1.8–6.2; P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, and resting SBP. When participants were divided according to a combination of exercise SBP and recovery SBP, the baPWV of the subgroup with exaggerated exercise SBP and delayed SBP recovery was higher than that of those with only exaggerated exercise SBP and delayed SBP recovery (Both, 1585 ± 301 cm/s; Exercise, 1505 ± 232 cm/s; Recovery, 1475 ± 160 cm/s). Conclusion: Exaggerated BP increase and delayed BP recovery during submaximal step exercise test are associated with increased arterial stiffness in normotensive individuals. Subclinical vascular impairment may influence vascular reactivity to a greater degree than basal tone and could be identified by an abnormal BP response to exercise even before clinical manifestation of hypertension.