[Hemodynamic changes in patients with arterial hypertension during isometric exercise]

Forty-two patients aged 35 to 58 years with arterial hypertension were examined. The patients did not manifest any clinical signs of heart failure or coronary heart disease. All the patients were subjected to the leg form of isometric exercise test with a 100% maximal force. The blood pressure, heart rate, heart contractility and pump function were examined in the course of the test. It was demonstrated that in patients with arterial hypertension, the pressor reactions in response to the exercise were similar to those in healthy subjects but were more pronounced. In patients with stage IIA arterial hypertension, the increase of blood pressure occurred due to the inotropic reaction of the myocardium and triggering of Frank-Starling's mechanism. In patients with stage IIB arterial hypertension, the increase of blood pressure was caused by the total peripheral resistance elevation. The leg form of isometric exercise permits the detection of early signs of heart failure in patients with arterial hypertension.