Objective: Acute exercise exerts potentially harmful effects on the cardiovascular system. However, underlying mechanisms, especially regarding the role of arterial stiffness, remain largely understudied. Thus, we sought to investigate arterial stiffness changes after acute exercise in young patients with untreated, recently diagnosed stage I essential hypertension (UH) compared to healthy individuals (NT).

Design and Methods: We studied 25 consecutive UH (Blood Pressure, (BP): 147.2±6.2/93.5±8.1 mmHg) and 15 age- and sex-matched NT volunteers (BP: 118.2±10.9/75.8±10.3 mmHg). All subjects underwent a treadmill exercise test (Bruce protocol), up to 85% of the maximal heart rate according to age and gender. Aortic PWV was performed by applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor device) at baseline, at the end of the test (max) and at 10, 30 and 60 minutes later (10R, 30R and 60R respectively).

Results: At all time-points UH exhibited significantly higher aortic PWV and BP levels than NT. Systolic BP rose significantly at max and subsequently fell in levels similar to baseline, in both groups. Aortic PWV increased significantly at max (p<0.001), 10R (p=0.001), and 30R (p=0.003) compared to baseline in UH (Figure). In contrast, no significant changes were observed after exercise in NT.

Conclusions: Arterial stiffness is impaired following high-intensity acute exercise in UH and PWV remains increased despite BP fall in pre-exercise levels. These prolonged effects on arterial stiffness indicate that high-intensity acute exercise is potentially harmful, even in the early stages of essential hypertension.