A brief submaximal isometric exercise test ‘unmasks’ systolic and diastolic masked hypertension

Objectives: An exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response during dynamic exercise testing has been proposed as an additional screening tool to identify systolic masked hypertension (masked-HYP). However, masked-HYP in young people is often characterized by an elevated DBP. Static/isometric exercise elicits augmented sympathetic stimulation causing greater increases in both SBP and DBP than dynamic exercise. Aims: To examine whether individuals with masked-HYP exhibit exaggerated BP responses during a submaximal handgrip vs. normotensive individuals and individuals with sustained hypertension (true-HYP), and the possible associations of exercise BP with total peripheral resistance (TPR), central/aortic BP, and 24-h-ambulatory BP (24-h BP). Methods: Eighty-six participants [untreated, newly diagnosed, masked-HYP (n = 27), true-HYP (n = 31), and normotensive individuals (n = 28); 46.3 ± 10.7 years], following evaluation of office BP, central/aortic BP, pulse wave velocity, carotid intima–media thickness, echocardiocardiography, and 24-h BP, underwent a 3-min handgrip (30% maximal voluntary contraction) with beat-by-beat BP and hemodynamics assessment (Finapres Medical Systems). Results: Despite similar baseline-BP in masked-HYP and normotensive individuals, during exercise masked-HYP exhibited a markedly greater (P 
Source: Journal of Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL PAPERS: Diagnosis Source Type: research