Exercise-induced changes in venous vascular function in nonpregnant formerly preeclamptic women.
OBJECTIVE
Formerly preeclamptic women with low plasma volume are at increased risk of recurrent gestational hypertensive disease. We hypothesized that a 4-week cycling training in formerly preeclamptic women improves (venous) hemodynamic function.


METHODS
In 9 formerly preeclamptic women, we examined physical fitness and hemodynamic function, before and after the training. We assessed blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, plasma volume, and calf and forearm venous compliance.


RESULTS
After the training, baseline blood pressure and cardiac output remained unchanged, but resting heart rate decreased (-7%, P = .02). Plasma volume was 8% higher after training (P = .01). Calf venous compliance increased (+18%, P = .02) but not forearm venous compliance (+14%, P = .09).


CONCLUSIONS
Cycling training improves venous vascular function in formerly preeclamptic women. The decreased resting heart rate and improvement of venous compliance suggest reduced sympathetic activity. These rapid exercise-induced changes may improve maternal vascular adaptation in early pregnancy and with it the risk of (recurrent) gestational hypertensive disease.
Krabbendam
Ineke
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. i.krabbendam@obgyn.umcn.nl
Maas
Martje L
ML
Thijssen
Dick H J
DH
Oyen
Wim J G
WJ
Lotgering
Fred K
FK
Hopman
Maria T E
MT
Spaanderman
Marc E A
ME
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002302:Cardiac Output; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D010953:Plasma Volume; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D014680:Veins / Q000503:physiopathology*