Isotonic Exercise v/s Systolic Blood Pressure - A Clinicophysiological Correlation in Healthy Adults with a Family History of Hypertension

Background: Although pre-hypertension has strong familial predisposition, difference in the pathophysiological mechanisms of its genesis in the offsprings of hypertensive parents have not been elucidated. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess blood pressure during rest and recovery in young normotensive adult offsprings of hypertensive parents. Methodology: A total of 40 healthy normotensive individuals with a body mass index of 18.5–24.9 kg/m² were selected for the study and classified into two groups based on their parental history of hypertension. Cycle ergometry exercise test was performed. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded at baseline, after the exercise test and during recovery at 5-min intervals for 10 min. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The basal and the recovery SBP values after exercise test were significantly higher in the study group, as compared with the control group. Conclusion: A difference in the basal SBP found in the offsprings of hypertensive parents may be an early marker of cardiovascular change in subjects with a genetic predisposition to hypertension.