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Peripheral Vascular Resistance Impairment during Isometric Physical Exercise in Normotensive Offspring of Hypertensive Parents

Abstract

Background:

A family history of hypertension is associated with vascular and autonomic abnormalities, as well as an impaired neurohemodynamic response to exercise.

Objective:

To test the hypothesis that normotensive individuals with a family history of hypertension present an impaired peripheral vascular resistance response to exercise.

Methods:

The study included 37 normotensive volunteers of both sexes who were sedentary, eutrophic, and nonsmokers, comprising 23 with (FH+; 24 ± 3 years) and 14 without (FH-; 27 ± 5 years) a family history of hypertension. Blood pressure, heart rate (DIXTAL®), forearm blood flow (Hokanson®), and peripheral vascular resistance were simultaneously measured for 3 minutes during rest and, subsequently, for 3 minutes during an isometric exercise at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (Jamar®).

Results:

At rest, the FH+ and FH- groups present similar mean blood pressure (83 ± 7 versus 83 ± 5 mmHg, p = 0.96), heart rate (69 ± 8 bpm versus 66 ± 7 bpm, p = 0.18), forearm blood flow (3 ± 1 mL/min/100 mL versus 2.7 ± 1 mL/min/100 mL, p = 0.16), and peripheral vascular resistance (30 ± 9 units versus 34±9 units, p = 0.21), respectively. Both groups showed a significant and similar increase in mean blood pressure (∆ = 15 ± 7 mmHg versus 14 ± 7 mmHg, p = 0.86), heart rate (∆ = 12 ± 8 bpm versus 13 ± 7 bpm, p = 0.86), and forearm blood flow (∆ = 0.8 ± 1.2 mL/min/100 mL versus 1.4 ± 1.1 mL/min/100 mL, p = 0.25), respectively, during exercise. However, individuals in the FH+ group showed no reduction in peripheral vascular resistance during exercise, which was observed in the FH- group (∆ = -0.4 ± 8.6 units versus -7.2 ± 6.3 units, p = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Normotensive individuals with a family history of hypertension present an impaired peripheral vascular resistance response to exercise.

Keywords:
Vascular Resistance; Exercise; Patient Selection; Hypertension; Heredity

Resumo

Fundamento:

O histórico familiar para hipertensão arterial está relacionado a anormalidades vasculares e autonômicas, bem como disfunções no comportamento neuro-hemodinâmico durante o exercício físico.

Objetivo:

Testar a hipótese de que indivíduos normotensos com histórico familiar de hipertensão arterial apresentam resposta prejudicada da resistência vascular periférica durante o exercício físico.

Métodos:

Foram avaliados 37 normotensos de ambos os sexos, sedentários, eutróficos e não tabagistas, sendo 23 com histórico familiar positivo (HF+, 24 ± 3 anos) e 14 com histórico familiar negativo (HF-, 27 ± 5 anos) para hipertensão arterial. Foram identificados pressão arterial, frequência cardíaca (DIXTAL®), fluxo sanguíneo muscular do antebraço e resistência vascular periférica local (Hokanson®) por 3 minutos durante o repouso e, em seguida, 3 minutos durante exercício isométrico de preensão palmar a 30% da contração voluntária máxima (Jamar®).

Resultados:

Em repouso, os grupos HF+ e HF- apresentaram valores semelhantes de pressão arterial média (83 ± 7 mmHg versus 83 ± 5 mmHg, p = 0,96), frequência cardíaca (69 ± 8 bpm versus 66 ± 7 bpm, p = 0,18), fluxo sanguíneo muscular (3 ± 1 mL/min/199 mL versus 2,7 ± 1 mL/min/100 mL, p = 0,16) e resistência vascular periférica (30 ± 9 unidades versus 34 ± 9 unidades, p = 0,21), respectivamente. Durante o exercício, HF+ e HF- mostraram aumento significativo e semelhante da pressão arterial média (∆ = 15 ± 7 mmHg versus 14 ± 7 mmHg, p = 0,86), frequência cardíaca (∆ = 12 ± 8 bpm versus 13 ± 7 bpm, p = 0,86) e fluxo sanguíneo muscular (∆ = 0,8 ± 1,2 mL/min/100 mL versus 1,4 ± 1,1 mL/min/100 mL, p = 0,25), respectivamente. Entretanto, no grupo HF+ não houve redução significativa da resistência vascular periférica durante o exercício, fato que ocorreu no grupo HF- (∆ = -0,4 ± 8,6 unidades versus -7,2 ± 6,3 unidades, p = 0,03).

Conclusão:

Indivíduos normotensos com histórico familiar de hipertensão arterial apresentam resposta prejudicada da resistência vascular periférica durante o exercício físico.

Palavras-chave:
Resistência Vascular; Exercício; Seleção de Pacientes; Hipertensão; Hereditariedade

Introduction

Hypertension is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, affecting approximately 32.5% of the Brazilian population.11 Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia. Departamento de Hipertensão Arterial. VI Diretrizes brasileiras de hipertensão. Rev Bras Hipertens. 2010;17(1):1-64.,22 Villela PB, Klein CH, Oliveira GM. Trends in mortality from cerebrovascular and hypertensive diseases in brazil between 1980 and 2012. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2016;107(1):26-32. Therefore, primary prevention has been recommended for individuals at increased risk for the development of hypertension, notably those with a positive family history of the disease.11 Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia. Departamento de Hipertensão Arterial. VI Diretrizes brasileiras de hipertensão. Rev Bras Hipertens. 2010;17(1):1-64.

Studies have shown that normotensive individuals with a hypertensive father and/or mother have an increased risk of development of hypertension.33 Shook RP, Lee DC, Sui X, Prasad V, Hooker SP, Church TS, et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the risk of incident hypertension associated with a parental history of hypertension. Hypertension. 2012;59(6):1220-4.

4 Mitsumata K, Saitoh S, Ohnishi H, Akasaka H, Miura T. Effects of parental hypertension on longitudinal trends in blood pressure and plasma metabolic profile mixed-effects model analysis. Hypertension. 2012;60(5):1124-30.
-55 Wang NY, Young JH, Meoni LA, Ford DE, Erlinger TP, Klag MJ. Blood pressure change and risk of hypertension associated with parental hypertension: the Johns Hopkins Precursors Study. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(6):643-8. Wang et al.55 Wang NY, Young JH, Meoni LA, Ford DE, Erlinger TP, Klag MJ. Blood pressure change and risk of hypertension associated with parental hypertension: the Johns Hopkins Precursors Study. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(6):643-8. investigated the impact of parental hypertension on the risk of development of hypertension among 1160 normotensive men during a follow-up of 54 years. In the study, the relative risks of development of hypertension were 1.5, 1.8, and 2.4 among individuals with only the mother, only the father, and both parents with hypertension, respectively, compared with individuals whose parents were normotensive.55 Wang NY, Young JH, Meoni LA, Ford DE, Erlinger TP, Klag MJ. Blood pressure change and risk of hypertension associated with parental hypertension: the Johns Hopkins Precursors Study. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(6):643-8.

The reason for the increased susceptibility to the development of hypertension among offspring of hypertensive parents has not been fully elucidated. However, vascular66 Boutcher YN, Hopp JP, Boutcher SH. Acute effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on vascular and baroreflex function of young males with a family history of hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2011;25(5):311-9.,77 Bond V Jr, Franks BD, Tearney RJ, Wood B, Melendez LA, Johnson L, et al. Exercise blood pressure response and skeletal muscle vasodilator capacity in normotensives with positive and negative family history of hypertension. J Hypertens. 1994:12(3):285-90. and autonomic abnormalities,88 Francica JV, Heeren MV, Tubaldini M, Sartori M, Mostarda C, Araujo RC, et al. Impairment on cardiovascular and autonomic adjustments to maximal isometric exercise tests in offspring of hypertensive parents. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2013;20(3):480-5.

9 Lopes HF, Consolim-Colombo FM, Barreto-Filho JA, Riccio GM, Negrão CE, Krieger EM. Increased sympathetic activity in normotensive offspring of malignant hypertensive parents compared to offspring of normotensive parents. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2008;41(10):849-53.
-1010 Mangieri E, Tanzilli G, Barillà F, Ciavolella M, Puddu P, De Angelis C, et al. Handgrip increases endothelin-1 secretion in normotensive young male offspring of hypertensive parents. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31(6):1362-6. present in this population even before changes in blood pressure level, have been considered relevant in the emergence of this pathology.

In fact, studies have demonstrated an increased sympathetic nervous activity both at rest and during physical exercise in offspring of hypertensive parents when compared with those of normotensive parents.99 Lopes HF, Consolim-Colombo FM, Barreto-Filho JA, Riccio GM, Negrão CE, Krieger EM. Increased sympathetic activity in normotensive offspring of malignant hypertensive parents compared to offspring of normotensive parents. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2008;41(10):849-53.,1010 Mangieri E, Tanzilli G, Barillà F, Ciavolella M, Puddu P, De Angelis C, et al. Handgrip increases endothelin-1 secretion in normotensive young male offspring of hypertensive parents. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31(6):1362-6. Similarly, it has been observed that individuals with a family history of hypertension have reduced nitric oxide bioavailability1111 McAllister AS, Atkinson AB, Johnston GD, Hadden DR, Bell PM, McCance DR. Basal nitric oxide production is impaired in offspring of patients with essential hypertension. Clin Sci. 1999;97(2):141-7.,1212 Ciolac EG, Bocchi EA, Bortolotto LA, Carvalho VO, Greve JM, Guimarães GV. Haemodynamic, metabolic and neuro-humoral abnormalities in young normotensive women at high familial risk for hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2010;24(12):814-22. and increased endothelin levels1010 Mangieri E, Tanzilli G, Barillà F, Ciavolella M, Puddu P, De Angelis C, et al. Handgrip increases endothelin-1 secretion in normotensive young male offspring of hypertensive parents. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31(6):1362-6.,1212 Ciolac EG, Bocchi EA, Bortolotto LA, Carvalho VO, Greve JM, Guimarães GV. Haemodynamic, metabolic and neuro-humoral abnormalities in young normotensive women at high familial risk for hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2010;24(12):814-22.,1313 Tanzilli G, Barillà F, Pannitteri G, Greco C, Comito C, Schiariti M, et al. Exercise training counteracts the abnormal release of plasma endothelin-1 in normal subjects at risk for hypertension. Ital Heart J. 2003;4(2):107-12. (endothelial-derived vasodilatory and vasoconstrictor substances, respectively).

During exercise, increased muscle blood flow, which occurs in response to increased metabolic needs, is dependent on vasodilatory mechanisms, especially endothelial and metabolic factors produced in the exercised muscle, which overcome the vasoconstrictor mechanisms.1414 Fadel PJ. Reflex control of the circulation during exercise. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015;25(S4):74-82. However, exacerbated vasoconstrictor mechanisms, such as sympathetic hyperactivity, may impair the vasodilatory mechanisms during exercise.1414 Fadel PJ. Reflex control of the circulation during exercise. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015;25(S4):74-82. Thus, due to changes in endothelial cells and exacerbated muscular sympathetic nervous activity response present in normotensive individuals with a family history of hypertension, it is possible that the vasodilatory response in this population may be impaired during physical exercise. In this regard, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that normotensive individuals with a family history of hypertension have an impaired peripheral vascular resistance response during physical exercise.

Methods

Cohort

Based on a sample size calculation using a difference of 2.2 units in peripheral vascular resistance between the means of both groups with and without a family history of hypertension,1515 Miller SB, Ditto B. Exaggerated sympathetic nervous system response to extended psychological stress in offspring of hypertensives. Psychophysiology. 1991;28(1):103-13. standard deviations of 2 units, 5% alpha and 20% beta errors, 14 subjects would be required in each group. Thus, the cohort comprised 37 volunteers, subdivided according to their family history of hypertension among parents in a group with a positive family history (FH+, n = 23) and another with a negative family history (FH-, n = 14).

A positive family history of hypertension was defined as a diagnosis of hypertension in the father, mother or both, evaluated with a questionnaire. A negative family history was defined as the absence of hypertension (blood pressure lower than 140 X 90 mmHg) or a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in both parents, also evaluated with a questionnaire.

We adopted as the inclusion criteria age between 18 and 40 years, systolic blood pressure below 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg, and lack of involvement in regular physical exercise for at least 6 months before the study. We did not include individuals with obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, smokers, or receiving treatment with drugs that could interfere with the cardiovascular system, as well as individuals with any bone, muscle or articular impairment that could interfere with the execution of the exercise protocol. We also did not include individuals whose parents had a diagnosis of any other disease besides hypertension.

After prior clarification and agreement, all volunteers signed a free and informed consent form. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee in Human Research at HU/UFJF under the number 0119/2010.

Measures and procedures

Anthropometry

To measure the participants’ body mass and height, we used, respectively, a scale with a precision of 0.1 kg and a stadiometer with a 0.5 cm accuracy coupled to the scale (Leader®, Brazil). At the time of the evaluation, the volunteers wore light clothes and were barefoot. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing the participants’ body weight by their squared height (kg/m2). Their waist circumference was measured using an inextensible measuring tape (Cescorf®) with a 0.1 cm accuracy. All variables above were assessed according to the criteria established by the American College of Sports Medicine.1616 American College of Sports Medicine. Diretrizes do ACSM para os testes de esforço e sua prescrição. 7ª ed. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Koogan; 2007.

Blood pressure and heart rate

Blood pressure was measured in the right lower limb by the automatic oscillometric method, using a multiparametric monitor (DIXTAL®, model 2023).1717 Mano GM, Souza VS, Pierin AM, Lima JC, Ignes EC, Ortega KC, et al. Assessment of the DIXTAL DX-2710 automated oscillometric device for blood pressure measurement with the validation protocols of the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Arq Bras Cardiol. 2002;79(6):606-10. The heart rate was recorded continuously by five skin electrodes positioned according to the standard lead supplied with the five-way cable of the multiparametric monitor.1717 Mano GM, Souza VS, Pierin AM, Lima JC, Ignes EC, Ortega KC, et al. Assessment of the DIXTAL DX-2710 automated oscillometric device for blood pressure measurement with the validation protocols of the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Arq Bras Cardiol. 2002;79(6):606-10.

Forearm muscle blood flow and local peripheral vascular resistance

Muscle blood flow in the forearm was evaluated with the venous occlusion plethysmography technique using the plethysmograph Hokanson® (Bellevue, WA, USA). The volunteer was positioned in the supine position with the nondominant forearm elevated above the heart level to ensure adequate venous drainage.

A silastic tube filled with mercury, connected to a low-pressure transducer and to the plethysmograph, was placed around the volunteers’ forearms, 5 cm away from the humeroradial joint. A cuff was placed around the volunteers’ wrists and another cuff was placed around their upper arms. The wrist cuff was inflated to a suprasystolic pressure level (200 mmHg) 1 minute prior to the measurements and was maintained inflated during the entire procedure. At 15-second intervals, the arm cuff was inflated to a supravenous pressure level (60 mmHg) for 7 to 8 seconds, and then quickly deflated and maintained for the same period of time. This procedure totaled 4 cycles per minute.

The increased tension in the silastic tube reflected the increased forearm volume, indirectly reflecting the increased muscle blood flow in the forearm, and was reported as mL/min/100 mL. The forearm muscle blood flow wave sign was acquired in real time by a computer using the program Non Invasive Vascular Program 3.

The local peripheral vascular resistance was calculated by dividing the mean blood pressure by the muscle blood flow in the forearm, and reported as units.

Protocol of isometric physical exercise

To evaluate the responses in blood pressure, heart rate, and forearm muscle blood flow, we used a handgrip isometric exercise protocol using a dynamometer (Jamar®, São Paulo, Brazil). Initially, with the volunteer in the supine position, the maximal handgrip isometric strength was calculated as the mean of three attempts of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) performed on the dominant limb. Hemodynamic measurements were subsequently performed during 3 minutes at rest and, subsequently, during 3 minutes of isometric exercise at 30% of the MVC.

Experimental protocol

The evaluations were performed in the afternoon at the Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (HU-CAS). The volunteers were instructed not to consume alcohol and/or caffeine or perform vigorous physical activity within 24 hours prior to the evaluations, as well as to not ingest fatty foods on the day of the data collection.

During history taking, the volunteers answered questions related to clinical information about themselves and their parents and underwent anthropometric assessment. After the MVC evaluation, the volunteers rested for 10 minutes in the supine position. After that, we simultaneously recorded their heart rate, blood pressure, and forearm blood flow for 3 minutes during rest and, subsequently, for 3 minutes during the handgrip isometric exercise.

Statistical analysis

The data are presented as mean ± standard deviation of the mean or as median and interquartile range. To verify the normal distribution of the data, we used the Shapiro-Wilk test. We also verified the homogeneity of variance assumption by the Levene test. Possible differences related to the characteristics of the groups were verified using unpaired Student's t test for data with normal distribution, and homogeneity of variance and Mann-Whitney U test for variables violating these assumptions. Sex distribution between the groups is presented in absolute values and percentages. The chi-square test was used to verify a possible difference in sex distribution between the groups.

To test for possible differences between the groups in regards to hemodynamic responses (deltas) during the protocol, we used two-factor analysis of variance for repeated measures (2 X 4 factorial ANOVA, intra- and intersubject; group X exercise time). The Mauchly test was performed and the Greenhouse-Geisser correction was applied in cases in which the sphericity was violated. The main effects and the interaction (group X time) were analyzed with adjustment of the confidence interval by Bonferroni correction. To measure the "effect size," we adopted eta-squared statistics (ɲ2), with subsequent classification of its strength according to the values of 0.01, 0.06, and greater than 0.15, as small, medium, and large, respectively.1818 Cohen, J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. 2nd ed. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1988.

All statistical analyses were performed using the software IBM SPSS® 20 for Windows (Chicago, IL, USA). The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The demographic and anthropometric characteristics of the FH+ and FH- groups are described in Table 1. No differences were observed in terms of age, sex, weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, and MVC between both groups. In addition, the groups were similar in regards to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, heart rate, percentage change in muscle blood flow, and forearm vascular resistance (Table 2).

Table 1
Demographic and anthropometric characteristics of the FH+ and FH- groups
Table 2
Comparisons of hemodynamic variables at rest between the groups FH+ and FH-

During exercise, the responses in systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure, as well as the heart rate and forearm muscle blood flow were similar between the groups. In contrast, during the 3 minutes of the exercise, the forearm vascular resistance decreased significantly only in the FH-group (Table 3). The strength of the effect of the interaction between the factors group and time for this variable was average (η2 = 0.10).

Table 3
Hemodynamic responses (absolute deltas) during isometric exercise

Discussion

The finding of this study indicate that normotensive individuals with hypertensive parents, when compared with their peers with normotensive parents, have a vascular dysfunction characterized by the absence of a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance during physical exercise. It is worth noting that the groups comprised individuals who were sedentary, nonsmokers, and with similar demographic, anthropometric, and hemodynamic characteristics.

Although there are a large number of studies on cardiovascular changes in individuals with a family history of hypertension, we found only one study whose objective was to assess the vasodilatory capacity of this population during physical exercise. This study, conducted by Borghi et al.,1919 Borghi C, Costa FV, Boschi S, Ambrosioni E. Impaired vasodilator capacity and exaggerated pressor response to isometric exercise in subjects with family history of hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 1988;1(3 Pt 3):106S-9S. also demonstrated impaired vasodilatory capacity during a handgrip isometric physical exercise at moderate intensity in normotensive participants with a positive family history of hypertension. However, the study did not control for variables influencing the vascular behavior during physical exercise, such as smoking, physical activity, BMI, presence of cardiometabolic diseases, and use of vasoactive medications,2020 Lundberg JO, Gladwin MT, Weitzberg E. Strategies to increase nitric oxide signalling in cardiovascular disease. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2015;14(9):623-41. which were controlled for in the present study. Therefore, we have expanded with this study the knowledge about the vascular function during physical exercise in normotensive individuals with hypertensive parents.

In addition, the inability to decrease peripheral vascular resistance among individuals with a family history of hypertension has also been demonstrated at reactive hyperemia peak,66 Boutcher YN, Hopp JP, Boutcher SH. Acute effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on vascular and baroreflex function of young males with a family history of hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2011;25(5):311-9.,77 Bond V Jr, Franks BD, Tearney RJ, Wood B, Melendez LA, Johnson L, et al. Exercise blood pressure response and skeletal muscle vasodilator capacity in normotensives with positive and negative family history of hypertension. J Hypertens. 1994:12(3):285-90. a maneuver that despite being triggered by a distinctive mechanism, has a vasodilatory response that correlates with the response triggered by exercise.2121 Gaenzer H, Neumayr G, Marschang P, Sturm W, Kirchmair R, Patsch JR. Flow-mediated vasodilation of the femoral and brachial artery induced by exercise in healthy nonsmoking and smoking men. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;38(5):1313-9.,2222 Pyke KE, Jazuli F. Impact of repeated increases in shear stress via reactive hyperemia and handgrip exercise: no evidence of systematic changes in brachial artery FMD. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2011;300(3):H1078-89.

During physical exercise, the muscle blood flow depends on the balance between dilatory and constrictor forces. In this sense, exacerbation of the sympathetic nervous activity and functional changes in endothelial regulation have been identified as important vasoconstrictor mechanisms responsible for most peripheral vascular resistance observed during exercise in subjects with a history of hypertension.1212 Ciolac EG, Bocchi EA, Bortolotto LA, Carvalho VO, Greve JM, Guimarães GV. Haemodynamic, metabolic and neuro-humoral abnormalities in young normotensive women at high familial risk for hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2010;24(12):814-22. Indeed, greater muscle sympathetic nervous activity has been reported in offspring of hypertensive parents when compared with those of normotensive parents during handgrip isometric exercise, when directly assessed by microneurography.99 Lopes HF, Consolim-Colombo FM, Barreto-Filho JA, Riccio GM, Negrão CE, Krieger EM. Increased sympathetic activity in normotensive offspring of malignant hypertensive parents compared to offspring of normotensive parents. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2008;41(10):849-53.,2323 Greaney JL, Matthews EL, Wenner MM. Sympathetic reactivity in young women with a family history of hypertension. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2015;308(8):H816-22. In addition, we observed increased serum norepinephrine levels both at rest and during handgrip exercise in individuals with a positive family history of hypertension in relation to individuals with a negative history of this pathology.1010 Mangieri E, Tanzilli G, Barillà F, Ciavolella M, Puddu P, De Angelis C, et al. Handgrip increases endothelin-1 secretion in normotensive young male offspring of hypertensive parents. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31(6):1362-6. These factors can explain the results of the present study related to peripheral vascular resistance during exercise.

With regard to the endothelial function, McAllister et al.1111 McAllister AS, Atkinson AB, Johnston GD, Hadden DR, Bell PM, McCance DR. Basal nitric oxide production is impaired in offspring of patients with essential hypertension. Clin Sci. 1999;97(2):141-7. observed no differences in endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation evaluated with the dose-response curve induced by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, respectively, among healthy young adults with and without a family history of hypertension. However, these authors verified in offspring of hypertensive parents a vasoconstrictor response mitigated by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), an endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor, demonstrating impaired baseline release of nitric oxide in this population. Additionally, Ciolac et al.1212 Ciolac EG, Bocchi EA, Bortolotto LA, Carvalho VO, Greve JM, Guimarães GV. Haemodynamic, metabolic and neuro-humoral abnormalities in young normotensive women at high familial risk for hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2010;24(12):814-22. evaluated women with a family history of hypertension and observed, both at rest and during a maximal incremental treadmill test, reduced levels of nitrite and nitrate, the end products of degradation of nitric oxide, which also suggests a reduction in the production/bioavailability of this important vasodilator.

In addition to reducing the bioavailability of nitric oxide, increased levels of endothelin, an endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor substance, have also been observed in offspring of hypertensive parents when compared with offspring of normotensive parents, both during handgrip exercise,1010 Mangieri E, Tanzilli G, Barillà F, Ciavolella M, Puddu P, De Angelis C, et al. Handgrip increases endothelin-1 secretion in normotensive young male offspring of hypertensive parents. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31(6):1362-6.,1313 Tanzilli G, Barillà F, Pannitteri G, Greco C, Comito C, Schiariti M, et al. Exercise training counteracts the abnormal release of plasma endothelin-1 in normal subjects at risk for hypertension. Ital Heart J. 2003;4(2):107-12. as well as during incremental exercise test on a treadmill.1212 Ciolac EG, Bocchi EA, Bortolotto LA, Carvalho VO, Greve JM, Guimarães GV. Haemodynamic, metabolic and neuro-humoral abnormalities in young normotensive women at high familial risk for hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2010;24(12):814-22. Therefore, it may be hypothesized that the increased vascular resistance observed in offspring of hypertensive parents during exercise may be related, at least in part, to a reduced endothelial production of vasodilatory substances and increased production of vasoconstrictor substances.

Declines in vascular function are associated with the development of atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular events.2424 Roque FR, Hernanz R, Salaices M, Briones AM. Exercise training and cardiometabolic diseases: focus on the vascular system. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2013;15(3):204-14. Moreover, with the increased sympathetic tone, vascular dysfunction is involved in the development of hypertension and may be related to the greater predisposition of offspring of hypertensive parents to developing this disease.1212 Ciolac EG, Bocchi EA, Bortolotto LA, Carvalho VO, Greve JM, Guimarães GV. Haemodynamic, metabolic and neuro-humoral abnormalities in young normotensive women at high familial risk for hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2010;24(12):814-22.

In this study, the responses in blood pressure and heart rate during exercise were similar between the groups. In addition, the groups presented a physiological increase in these variables throughout the test. Our results reproduce the findings of other authors,99 Lopes HF, Consolim-Colombo FM, Barreto-Filho JA, Riccio GM, Negrão CE, Krieger EM. Increased sympathetic activity in normotensive offspring of malignant hypertensive parents compared to offspring of normotensive parents. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2008;41(10):849-53.,1010 Mangieri E, Tanzilli G, Barillà F, Ciavolella M, Puddu P, De Angelis C, et al. Handgrip increases endothelin-1 secretion in normotensive young male offspring of hypertensive parents. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31(6):1362-6.,2525 Lopes HF, Bortolotto LA, Szlejf C, Kamitsuji CS, Krieger EM. Hemodynamic and metabolic profile in offspring of malignant hypertensive parents. Hypertension. 2001;38(3 Pt 2):616-20. who also observed similar responses in blood pressure and heart rate during handgrip physical exercise. On the other hand, the study by Greaney et al.2323 Greaney JL, Matthews EL, Wenner MM. Sympathetic reactivity in young women with a family history of hypertension. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2015;308(8):H816-22. observed an exacerbated response of the mean blood pressure during exercise in young women with a positive history of hypertension. The different results found may be related to the characteristics of the study population. The sample in the present study comprised sedentary individuals of both sexes, whereas the sample in the study by Greaney et al.2323 Greaney JL, Matthews EL, Wenner MM. Sympathetic reactivity in young women with a family history of hypertension. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2015;308(8):H816-22. comprised sedentary and active women. It is worth noting that the studies investigating blood pressure levels during physical exercise involving large muscle groups, such as exercise on a cycle ergometer2626 Bond V, Millis RM, Adams RG, Williams D, Obisesan TO, Oke LM, et al. Normal exercise blood pressure response in African-American women with parental history of hypertension. Am J Med Sci. 2004;328(2):78-83.,2727 Deyanov C, Vangelova K. Blood pressure response to exercise test and serum lipids in normotensive men with positive family history of hypertension. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2006;14(4):186-8. and knee extension isokinetic exercise,88 Francica JV, Heeren MV, Tubaldini M, Sartori M, Mostarda C, Araujo RC, et al. Impairment on cardiovascular and autonomic adjustments to maximal isometric exercise tests in offspring of hypertensive parents. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2013;20(3):480-5. have observed increased blood pressure levels in offspring of hypertensive parents, suggesting that the increased amount of muscle mass involved could be related to the cardiovascular hyperreactive responses observed in this population during these types of exercises.

This study showed that healthy young individuals without cardiovascular risk factors besides a family history of hypertension have impaired vasodilation during exercise. The increased peripheral vascular resistance during physical exercise may explain, at least in part, the blood pressure hyperreactivity in normotensive individuals during physical exercise. It has been documented that the exacerbated blood pressure response during exercise stress testing associated with increased total peripheral vascular resistance2828 Fazio S, Palmieri EA, Izzo R, Affuso F, Romano M, Riccio G, et al. An exaggerated systolic blood pressure response to exercise is associated with cardiovascular remodeling in subjects with prehypertension. Ital Heart J. 2005;6(11):886-92.,2929 Fagard RH, Pardaens K, Staessen JA, Thijs L. Prognostic value of invasive hemodynamic measurements at rest and during exercise in hypertensive men. Hypertension. 1996;28(1):31-6. is a prognostic factor for cardiovascular events and mortality in middle-aged men3030 Filipovský J, Ducimetière P, Safar, ME. Prognostic significance of exercise blood pressure and heart rate in middle-aged men. Hypertension. 1992;20(3):333-9. and hypertensive individuals,2929 Fagard RH, Pardaens K, Staessen JA, Thijs L. Prognostic value of invasive hemodynamic measurements at rest and during exercise in hypertensive men. Hypertension. 1996;28(1):31-6. in addition to being related to cardiac remodeling in pre-hypertensive individuals.2828 Fazio S, Palmieri EA, Izzo R, Affuso F, Romano M, Riccio G, et al. An exaggerated systolic blood pressure response to exercise is associated with cardiovascular remodeling in subjects with prehypertension. Ital Heart J. 2005;6(11):886-92. However, until the present moment, there have been no longitudinal studies designed with the intention of investigating the prognostic application of the vascular behavior in offspring of hypertensive parents during physical exercise and the possible development of hypertensive disease.

Thus, the results of this study emphasize the importance of a preventive intervention with measures aimed at reducing vascular resistance and, consequently, acting in the prevention of hypertension in this population. In this regard, physical exercise has been implicated as an important strategy for prevention of hypertension in offspring of hypertensive parents,33 Shook RP, Lee DC, Sui X, Prasad V, Hooker SP, Church TS, et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the risk of incident hypertension associated with a parental history of hypertension. Hypertension. 2012;59(6):1220-4. considering the beneficial results of training on pathophysiological factors involved in the emergence of this pathology, such as the sympathetic hyperactivity and vascular dysfunction,3131 Ciolac EG, Bocchi EA, Bortolotto LA, Carvalho VO, Greve JM, Guimarães GV. Effects of high-intensity aerobic interval training vs. moderate exercise on hemodynamic, metabolic and neuro-humoral abnormalities of young normotensive women at high familial risk for hypertension. Hypertens Res. 2010;33(8):836-43. which are often present in susceptible individuals, even before the increase in blood pressure levels.

Limitations

This study has some limitations that should be mentioned. The diagnosis of hypertension in the volunteers’ parents was reported by the volunteers themselves (self-report). Although this information has been self-reported in several studies,66 Boutcher YN, Hopp JP, Boutcher SH. Acute effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on vascular and baroreflex function of young males with a family history of hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2011;25(5):311-9.,2323 Greaney JL, Matthews EL, Wenner MM. Sympathetic reactivity in young women with a family history of hypertension. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2015;308(8):H816-22.,3232 Goldberg M, Boutcher S, Boutcher Y. The effect of 4 weeks of aerobic exercise on vascular and baroreflex function of young men with a family history of hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2012; 26(11):644-9. future research should include a detailed medical assessment of the parents. In addition, the women in this study were not evaluated during the same period of the menstrual cycle, a fact that could also configure a limitation of this study. However, Jarvis et al.3333 Jarvis SS, VanGundy TB, Galbreath MM, Shibata S, Okazaki K, Reelick MF, et al. Sex differences in the modulation of vasomotor sympathetic outflow during static handgrip exercise in healthy young humans. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2011;301(1):R193-200. and Carter et al.3434 Carter JR, Lawrence JE. Effects of the menstrual cycle on sympathetic neural responses to mental stress in humans. J Physiol. 2007;585(2):635-41. found no influence in young women of the ovarian cycle phase on sympathetic nervous activity, heart rate, and blood pressure during handgrip exercise and mental stress, respectively.

Conclusion

We conclude that young normotensive individuals with hypertensive parents have impaired vasodilation during isometric physical exercise.

  • Sources of Funding
    There were no external funding sources for this study.
  • Study Association
    This article is part of the especialization course submitted by Natália Portela, from Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, for the availability of space to conduct this study and the volunteers, for their contribution.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    10 July 2017
  • Date of issue
    Jul-Aug 2017

History

  • Received
    30 Sept 2016
  • Reviewed
    09 Jan 2017
  • Accepted
    18 Jan 2017
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