A 6-week high intensity interval training intervention improved VO2max and stroke volume in normotensive men only, while increasing estimated LV end-diastolic pressure in treated hypertensive men.
Does a 6-week high intensity interval training intervention improve cardiac adaptations and cardiopulmonary fitness in men with treated and untreated essential hypertension compared to normotensive controls?
Men with essential hypertension exhibit blunted cardiopulmonary and echocardiographic adaptations to 6 weeks of HIIT compared to normotensive men, with treated hypertensives showing potentially adverse increases in LV end-diastolic pressure.
p-value: p=<0.05
Abstract Introduction Exercise training is recommended for individuals with hypertension as it has been shown to lower blood pressure and reverse left ventricle (LV) concentric remodeling and mass, but it is unclear how hypertensive respond compared to normotensive individuals and to what extend medical treatment affects the outcome of the training. Aim To assess the effect of a 6-week high intensity interval training intervention (HIIT) on cardiac adaptations in subjects with treated and untreated essential hypertension as compared to normotensive controls. Methods Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography in eleven medicated hypertensive men, who adhered to treatment during the intervention but refrained from medication four days prior and during measurements (treated-hypertensive; systolic/diastolic blood pressure: 163±18/91±5 mmHg), in nine untreated hypertensive men (untreated-hypertensive; 151±9/89±7 mmHg), and in ten age-matched normotensive men (123±13/73±6 mmHg) before and after HIIT. Results At baseline, hypertensive and treated-hypertensive had higher (p0.05) systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lower LV diastolic function assessed by mitral valve E/A ratio (treated-hypertensive: -37%; hypertensive: -27%; p0.05) compared to normotensive. HIIT increased (p0.05) maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and stroke volume in normotensive only, whereas all groups improved cycling peak power output. Estimated LV end-diastolic pressure (E/é ratio) increased (p0.05) with HIIT in treated-hypertensive, with no change in normotensive and untreated-hypertensive. No significant interaction between time and group was observed in the changes of LV morphology and myocardial velocities. Conclusion Men with treated and untreated essential hypertension display diminished cardiac adaptations and less improvements in cardiopulmonary fitness with high intensity training than normotensive. Additionally, men with treated hypertension increased E/é with HIIT, potentially raising the risk of primary cardiac events. Therefore, further research is required to assess the interactive effects of exercise training and antihypertensive treatment.
Fischer et al. (Sat,) conducted a other in Essential hypertension (n=30). High intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. Normotensive controls was evaluated on Cardiac adaptations (VO2max, stroke volume, LV end-diastolic pressure) (p=<0.05). A 6-week high intensity interval training intervention improved VO2max and stroke volume in normotensive men only, while increasing estimated LV end-diastolic pressure in treated hypertensive men.