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Ambulatory blood pressure pattern in elderly athletes
1Division of Internal Medicine, Civic Hospital, San Miniato (PI), Italy.
Abstract:
Indications with respect to parasympathetic nervous activity in vivo can be obtained only by means of indirect parameters. Ten elderly athletes were compared to 10 sedentary healthy peers, in order to evaluate blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) circadian change and variability, as assessed by ambulatory 24-h non-invasive monitoring. Such comparison proved that the elderly athletes have a significantly lower value in: systolic 24-h BP; systolic and diastolic 24-h BP variability; systolic and diastolic day-time BP variability; systolic night-time BP variability; 24-h, day-time and night-time mean HR, as well as HR variability. Prolonged physical training improves, therefore, the parasympathetic control on the cardiovascular system in the elderly, which causes a low BP, HR, and a low related variability. Regular exercise induces a shift in the sympathetic: parasympathetic tone ratio towards a stronger parasympathetic influence. Such a neurovegetative tone seems to confer juvenile characteristics to the cardiovascular system of elderly athletes.
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Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
Measurement of Blood Pressure
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
