TITLE:
Immediate impact of exercise on arterial stiffness in humans
AUTHORS:
Jae-Bin Seo, Woo-Young Chung, Sang-Hyun Kim, Myung-A Kim, Joo-Hee Zo
KEYWORDS:
Arterial Stiffness; Pulse Wave Velocity
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.3 No.1,
January
18,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background
and objectives: Increased arterial stiffness is an accepted cardiovascular risk factor. Several studies have shown that
regular exercise is associated with reduced arterial stiffness. However, the
acute effect is not well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate
impact of exercise on arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV).
Subjects and Methods: Data from
100 consecutive patients who underwent graded maximal aerobic exercise test
and pulse wave velocity study due to chest pain were analyzed. Results: With
respect to brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), it decreased after the
exercise test (before vs. after; 1420 ± 260 vs. 1358 ± 245, 1428 ± 255, vs.
1360 ±239 cm/sec;
left and right, respectively). Upper extremity systolic blood pressure did not
change from baseline. However, upper extremity diastolic blood pressure
increased slightly. In addition, lower extremity blood pressure decreased
in both systolic and diastolic phases. In both normotensives and hypertensives,
baPWV decreased after exercise test. Conclusion: Exercise immediately decreases
arterial stiffness.