The Relationship Between Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Response During Exercise Testing with Microcirculation Indices

Introduction: Hypertension is associated with changes in microcirculation, while increased blood pressure (BP) during exercise stress testing has been correlated with adverse outcomes.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship of microcirculation with exercise BP response in hypertensive individuals.

Methods: 105 hypertensive individuals underwent exercise stress testing and nail-fold videocapillaroscopy assessment, in order to evaluate the relationship of BP response to exercise with capillary density.

Results: A significant negative correlation between diastolic BP at 1-minute recovery and capillary density was revealed (Pearson's r = -0.365, p = 0.043). A significant negative correlation was also observed between capillary density and peak heart rate (HR) (Pearson's r = -0.364, p = 0.024) and HR increase from stage 1 to 2 (Pearson's r = -0.746, p = 0.013).

Conclusion: Capillary rarefaction is associated with an abnormal BP and HR response to exercise, highlighting the role of microcirculation in BP regulation during exercise.