Blood coagulation and platelet function following maximal exercise: effects of beta-adrenoceptor blockade

Alterations of platelet function and blood coagulation may occur with exercise or beta-adrenoceptor blockade. To determine if beta-blockade could modify exercise-induced changes in haemostatic factors we performed a double-blind study of acute strenuous exercise in normal males with and without beta-blockade. Exercise increased prostacyclin and plasminogen activator levels but there was no evidence of thrombin generation as indicated by unchanged platelet aggregation responses, beta-thromboglobulin and fibrinopeptide A levels. The only alteration in coagulation by beta-blockade was a reduction in the factor VIII:C and VIII:RAg rise after exercise and this modification may be relevant to the protective effect of these drugs in patients with coronary artery disease.