Regular physical activity is associated with improved small artery distensibility in young to middle-age stage 1 hypertensives

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of physical activity with small artery elasticity in the early stage of hypertension. We examined 366 young-to-middle-age stage 1 hypertensives (mean blood pressure 145.6±10.3/92.5±5.8 mmHg), divided into two categories of physical activity, sedentary (n=264) and non-sedentary (n=102) subjects. The augmentation index was measured using the Specaway DAT System. Small artery compliance (C2) was measured by applanation tonometry, at the radial artery, with an HDI CR2000 device. After 6 years of follow-up, arterial distensibility assessment was repeated in 151 subjects. Heart rate was lower in active than in sedentary subjects (71.2±8.9 vs 76.6±9.7 bpm, p<0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, heart rate, smoking, and blood pressure, C2 was higher (8.0±2.6 vs 6.4±3.0 ml/mmHg × 100, p=0.008) in non-sedentary than in sedentary patients. The augmentation index was smaller in the former (8.8±20.1 vs 16.8±26.5%, p=0.044) but the difference lost statistical significance after further adjustment for blood pressure. After 6 years, C2 was still higher in the non-sedentary than sedentary subjects. In addition, an improvement in the augmentation index accompanied by a decline in total peripheral resistance was found in the former. These data show that regular physical activity is associated with improved small artery elasticity in the early phase of hypertension. This association persists over time and is independent of blood pressure and heart rate.

Longitudinal association between leisure-time physical activity and vascular elasticity indices

“…In this study, we showed a strong and independent association between leisure-time physical activities and small artery elasticity index independent of possible confounders both at baseline and approximately 10 years later. The association between SAEI and LTPA was strong and [14]. In line with our findings, they also found that physical activity predicted better SAEI.…”

“…Small artery elasticity index (SAEI) seems to be strongly associated with changes in the artery wall associated with hypertension [14], diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis compared to LAEI [6]. Similarly, it is strongly associated with chronic heart disease, stroke and heart failure [4].…”

“…According to a systematic review, aerobic exercise significantly increases vascular elasticity and the effect was better at higher exercise intensity and in participants with greater arterial stiffness at baseline [13]. To our best knowledge, there are only a few observations on how physical activity affects changes in vascular elasticity [11,14,15] and studies in representative populations and long-term follow-up are still missing. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and vascular elasticity with a specific focus on whether low levels of physical activity are associated with the development of vascular stiffness in a longitudinal observational study from a representative Swedish population without hypertension.…”

Effects of Arterial Stiffness on Visual Field Severity and Progression in Malay Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

“…Arterial stiffness is defined as reduced elasticity of the artery which renders the vessel unresponsive to changes in intravascular pressure (11). This elasticity is crucial in ensuring a smooth stream of blood from cyclical ventricular ejection during its delivery to the end organs (12). As the artery becomes less distensible, the JEPEM [234.…”

Influência do Treinamento Físico em parâmetros cardíacos, vasculares, inflamatórios e de estresse oxidativo em um modelo de menopausa e síndrome metabólica no envelhecimento

“…Dessa forma, podemos dizer que a redução da bradicardia estaria associada ao envelhecimento enquanto a redução da taquicárdica esta associada a privação dos hormônios e envelhecimento presente tanto nos grupos 129 ooforectomizados quanto envelhecidos. Comprometimentos na sensibilidade barorreflexa relacionadas à idade tem sido associados com alterações na complacência arterial, alterações da integração autonômica central, redução do fluxo vagal e diminuição da densidade do receptor muscarínico do nodo sinusal (BRODDE et al, 1998;ITOH;BUNAG, 1992 A idade vem sendo associada com aumento de PA, bem como uma diminuição na complacência arterial e de distensibilidade do sistema arterial, especialmente no mundo ocidental (SALADINI et al, 2014). Dentre esses achados, a complacência arterial tem sido vista como um poderoso determinante de risco cardiovascular (BLACHER et al, 1999).…”