Cardiovascular reactivity to ergometric exercise in mild hypertension

Cardiovascular reactivity to ergometric exercise was studied on work loads of 60, 80 and 100 W in 16 young and middle-aged males with mild hypertension and 17 normotensive subjects of the same age. The middle-aged hypertensive group showed a stronger rise in systolic blood pressure to a 100-watt work load than the matched normotensive group. Cardiovascular reactivity was not different with work loads of 60 and 80 W, and young hypertensives and normotensives had the same reactions. Thus cardiovascular reactivity to exercise is dependent on both blood pressure and age.