Hypertensive response to exercise: a silent problem

Abstract

Introduction: Physically active people are usually considered healthy and protected from cardiovascular disease and hypertension due to their good physical condition. The prevalence of hypertension in these groups is estimated to be about 50% lower than in the general population. Exercise is a well-known non-pharmacological measure for diminishing cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this article is to make health professionals aware of the hypertensive response to exercise and of the need for early diagnosis in order to assess and control cardiovascular risk in these patients. Description of Case: The case of a 33 year-old asymptomatic Caucasian male is presented. He was a former high-level competitive swimmer between the ages of 10 and 22. He currently performs regular physical activity with moderate to high intensity. His personal history includes current smoking, a BMI of 28.9kg/m2 and a family history of obesity and high blood pressure. As part of his routine assessment, we detected borderline elevated blood pressure values (high normal), overweight, hypercholesterolemia (with a total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol index of 4.7), and left ventricular hypertrophy by electrocardiographic and echocardiographic criteria. The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement was negative for hypertension. A stress test was performed. It was interrupted prematurely due to a hypertensive response to exercise. This explained not only the cardiac anomalies found but also allowed early pharmacological intervention with control of blood pressure during exercise. Comments: In asymptomatic and normotensive individuals, an exaggerated blood pressure response during exercise is associated with an increased risk of future hypertension and negative cardiovascular outcomes. The treadmill test can be used to identify individuals with abnormal responses, probably preceding hypertension, allowing early intervention in the natural history of the disease. This case emphasizes the importance of knowing the patient’s lifestyle for optimal clinical evaluation.