The Relationship Between Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Response During Exercise Testing with Microcirculation Indices.

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is associated with changes in microcirculation, while increased blood pressure (BP) during exercise stress testing has been correlated with adverse outcomes.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship of microcirculation with exercise BP response in hypertensive individuals.

METHODS

105 hypertensive individuals underwent exercise stress testing and nail-fold videocapillaroscopy assessment, in order to evaluate the relationship of BP response to exercise with capillary density.

RESULTS

A significant negative correlation between diastolic BP at 1-minute recovery and capillary density was revealed (Pearson's r = -0.365, p = 0.043). A significant negative correlation was also observed between capillary density and peak heart rate (HR) (Pearson's r = -0.364, p = 0.024) and HR increase from stage 1 to 2 (Pearson's r = -0.746, p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Capillary rarefaction is associated with an abnormal BP and HR response to exercise, highlighting the role of microcirculation in BP regulation during exercise.