Key result
Hypertension family history is linked to an exaggerated early heart rate response during low-intensity walking.
Why the study?
Young adults with a family history of hypertension are genetically predisposed and may have altered exercise heart rate kinetics compared to those without such history.
Does a family history of hypertension alter exercise heart rate kinetics during physical activity in young adults?
Observational (n=37)
Does a family history of hypertension alter exercise heart rate kinetics during physical activity in young adults?
p-value: p=0.028
Young adults with a family history of hypertension exhibit exaggerated heart rate responses at the onset of low-intensity walking, suggesting altered autonomic function and parasympathetic withdrawal.
Altered exercise HR kinetics in +FHH may signal early autonomic differences; leaves open predictive value or exercise guidance pending prospective data.
BACKGROUND: Young adults with a family history of hypertension (+FHH) are genetically predisposed to hypertension development and share similar cardiovascular characteristics of adults with established hypertension. Exercise heart rate (HR) kinetics is primarily controlled by the autonomic nervous system and is likely altered in +FHH compared to adults without a family history of hypertension (-FHH). This observational research aimed to study HR kinetics in +FHH during physical activity modalities that relate to activities of daily living (i.e., walking and stair climbing/stepping). METHODS: Participants completed a maximal treadmill test and submaximal stepping test with continuously monitored HR. Exercise onset HR responses from rest through the first 10, 20, and 30 s of treadmill (3.2 km/h 1% grade) and stepping (30.5 cm 24 steps/min) exercise were analyzed. Postexercise HR recovery (HRR) was analyzed using peak HR vs. 15 s postexercise HR for both modalities. RESULTS: Thirty-seven young healthy adults participated (-FHH=22, age: 23±4 years, resting blood pressure 111±9/74±8, resting HR 76±14; +FHH=15, age: 23±3 years P=0.854, resting blood pressure 115±12/73±7 P=0.341/0.914, resting HR 68±12 P=0.116). Treadmill exercise onset HR was greater in the +FHH group (10 s 30.9±11.7, 20 s 36.6±11.4, 30 s 39.1±10.8 ∆BPM) compared to the -FHH group (10 s 23.6±9.6, 20 s 28.0±10.1, 30 s 31.2±12.0 ∆BPM; group P=0.028) with no group effect for HRR. There were no group differences for exercise onset HR or HRR during stepping exercise. CONCLUSIONS: +FHH experience exaggerated heart rate responses at the onset of low intensity walking suggesting altered autonomic function and likely greater parasympathetic withdrawal. This may impact clinical outcomes and hypertension development.
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Matthews et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Family history of hypertension (n=37). Family history of hypertension (+FHH) vs. No family history of hypertension (-FHH) was evaluated on Treadmill exercise onset heart rate response (p=0.028). A family history of hypertension was associated with an exaggerated heart rate response at the onset of low-intensity treadmill walking compared to no family history (group P=0.028).
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