Hemodynamic effects of physical training in established arterial hypertension

Six patients with established arterial hypertension have been studied before and after a three months period of regular intense physical training. After training the maximal oxygen uptake was 9.6% higher (P < 0.02) and the heart rate was lower at rest (-8 beats/min; NS) and during submaximal exercise (-12 beats/min; P < 0.001). This bradycardia was attended by a slight decrease in cardiac output and an increase in the arterio-mixed venous oxygen difference; the blood pressure was unchanged and, accordingly, the peripheral resistance were slightly increased after training (+ 17%, P < 0.005 at rest and + 6.5% NS during exercise). We concluded that physical training has no specific hypotensive effect in patients with established arterial hypertension; in these patients the changes induced by training are very similar to those observed in normal subjects or in patients with coronary artery disease.