Exercise hypertension in healthy normotensive subjects. Implications, evaluation and interpretation

Exercise hypertension, defined as a blood pressure response to a dynamic exercise stressor which is considered excessive to what is normally observed in a healthy population, is currently the subject of much discussion. This interest appears to be related to the recent concerns that are being expressed in the utilization of hypertensive drugs with respect to their long-term benefits and risks. I would seem that the proper selection of patients for drug therapy will become as important as the treatment itself, not only for clinical purposes but to insure the quality of life of a patient in the pursuit of his/her daily activities. Also, a number of retrospective studies have shown that an exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise in resting normotensive persons could be a useful indicator to assist in detecting those persons who may be on the way to developing sustained hypertension. The literature suggests that this is a tenable hypothesis but one that will require testing by prospective research. In this respect, it has been suggested that if the blood pressure response to a dynamic exercise in borderline or labile hypertensives is normal, it is possible to dismiss the diagnosis of hypertension, at least temporarily. However, if the blood pressure response is exaggerated, then the diagnosis of hypertension should be considered. In Canada, the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT) has been utilized to assist in detecting exercise hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)