title: Exercise reduces arterial pressure augmentation through vasodilation of muscular arteries in humans.
abstract: Exercise markedly influences pulse wave morphology, but the mechanism is unknown. We investigated whether effects of exercise on the arterial pulse result from alterations in stroke volume or pulse wave velocity (PWV)/large artery stiffness or reduction of pressure wave reflection. Healthy subjects (n = 25) performed bicycle ergometry. with workload increasing from 25 to 150 W for 12 min. Digital arterial pressure waveforms were recorded using a servo-controlled finger cuff. Radial arterial pressure waveforms and carotid-femoral PWV were determined by applanation tonometry. Stroke volume was measured by echocardiography, and brachial and femoral artery blood flows and diameters were measured by ultrasound. Digital waveforms were recorded continuously. Other measurements were made before and after exercise. Exercise markedly reduced late systolic and diastolic augmentation of the peripheral pressure pulse. At 15 min into recovery, stroke volume and PWV were similar to baseline values, but changes in pulse wave morphology persisted. Late systolic augmentation index (radial pulse) was reduced from 54 +/- 3.9% at baseline to 42 +/- 3.7% (P < 0.01), and diastolic augmentation index (radial pulse) was reduced from 37 +/- 1.8% to 25 +/- 2.9% (P < 0.001). These changes were accompanied by an increase in femoral blood flow (from 409 +/- 44 to 773 +/- 48 ml/min, P < 0.05) and an increase in femoral artery diameter (from 8.2 +/- 0.4 to 8.6 +/- 0.4 mm, P < 0.05). In conclusion, exercise dilates muscular arteries and reduces arterial pressure augmentation, an effect that will enhance ventricular-vascular coupling and reduce load on the left ventricle.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Clinical Pharmacology, St. Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Rd., London SE1 7EH, UK.
authors.forename: Shahzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Munir
authors.forename: Benyu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guilcher
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brett
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Redwood
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marber
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chowienczyk
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001642:Bicycling; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008365:Manometry; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011674:Pulse; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000502:physiology; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin