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Echocardiographic parameters in athlete and nonathlete offspring of hypertensive parents
Patrícia Horváth1, Z S Kneffel, Zsuzsanna Lénárd
1Department of Health Sciences and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. patricia@mail.hupe.hu
Background:
According to several reports, some cardiovascular signs of hypertension (left ventricular [LV] hypertrophy, impaired diastolic filling) can be found in the normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents. It is also well known that regular physical exercise decreases the risk of hypertension.
Aim:
The aim of the present study is to determine whether or not regular physical training influences these early hypertensive traits in the offspring of hypertensive parents.
Methods:
Echocardiographic data of 215 (144 males, 71 females) 22- to 35-year-old nonathlete and athlete offspring of hypertensive (positive family history, FH+) and normotensive parents (negative family history, FH-) were compared in a cross-sectional design.
Results:
In the nonathlete FH+ males and females, LV dimensions were not larger than in the FH- subjects. The E/A quotient was lower in the FH+ subjects in both genders. Absolute and heart rate adjusted isovolumetric relaxation times were slightly longer in the FH+ men than in their FH- peers. No differences were seen between athlete FH- and FH+ subjects.
Conclusion:
Regular physical exercise decreases the incidence of the adverse cardiac signs, which can be associated with hypertension in the normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents.
