Post exercise hypotension is sustained during subsequent bouts of mild exercise and simulated activities of daily living

Our purpose was to examine whether the transient suppression of blood pressure that occurs during the hours following acute exercise (termed post exercise hypotension) persists throughout an active period of subsequent mild exercise and simulated activities of daily living (ADL) using direct measurements of arterial pressure. Eight recreationally active participants, with low borderline systolic hypertension completed 30 min of cycle ergometry at 70% VO2Peak and 30 min of quiet seated rest on separate days (randomised order). Following exercise and rest, subjects completed a 70-min protocol of mild exercise and simulated ADL. Blood pressure was monitored throughout by catheterisation of the radial artery. Exercise resulted in lower systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) throughout the post exercise ADL period compared to control measurements taken without prior exercise. The maximal difference in SBP, DBP and MAP between trials was 26, 7 and 13 mm Hg respectively. Average differences in SBP, DBP and MAP between trials were 16, 5 and 8 mm Hg respectively. This relative hypotension occurred in spite of higher heart rates during the ADL measurement period following the prior exercise. Furthermore, many of the blood pressure measurements during the post exercise period were significantly lower than the pre-exercise values during the same trial. We conclude that post exercise hypotension persists during mild exercise and simulated ADL. Although the duration of this relative hypotension needs to be determined, acute exercise may serve as a non-pharmacological aid in the treatment of hypertension.