The post-exercise ambulatory blood pressure fall observed in normotensive and hypertensive humans depends on individual characteristics. Moreover, in both normotensive and hypertensive humans, post-exercise ambulatory hypotension is greater in subjects with a higher initial blood pressure level.

To compare post-resistance exercise hypotension (PREH) and its mechanisms in normotensive and hypertensive individuals, 14 normotensives and 12 hypertensives underwent two experimental sessions: control (rest) and exercise (seven exercises, three sets, 50% of one repetition maximum). Hemodynamic and autonomic clinic measurements were taken before (Pre) and at two moments post-interventions (Post 1: between 30 and 60 min; Post 2: after 7 h). Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was monitored for 24 h. At Post 1, exercise decreased systolic BP similarly in normotensives and hypertensives (-8 ± 2 vs -13 ± 2 mmHg, P > 0.05), whereas diastolic BP decreased more in hypertensives (-4 ± 1 vs -9 ± 1 mmHg, P < 0.05). Cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance did not change in normotensives and hypertensives (0.0 ± 0.3 vs 0.0 ± 0.3 L/min; -1 ± 1 vs -2 ± 2 U, P > 0.05). After exercise, heart rate (+13 ± 3 vs +13 ± 2 bpm) and its variability (low- to high-frequency components ratio, 1.9 ± 0.4 vs +1.4 ± 0.3) increased whereas stroke volume (-14 ± 5 vs -11 ± 5 mL) decreased similarly in normotensives and hypertensives (all, P > 0.05). At Post 2, all variables returned to pre-intervention, and ambulatory data were similar between sessions. Thus, a session of resistance exercise promoted PREH in normotensives and hypertensives. Although this PREH was greater in hypertensives, it did not last during the ambulatory period, which limits its clinical relevance. In addition, the mechanisms of PREH were similar in hypertensives and normotensives.

It is known that slow breathing (o10 breaths min -1 ) reduces blood pressure (BP), but the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are not completely clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute responses of the muscle sympathetic nerve activity, BP and heart rate (HR), using device-guided slow breathing (breathe with interactive music (BIM)) or calm music. In all, 27 treated mild hypertensives were enrolled. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity, BP and HR were measured for 5 min before the use of the device (n¼14) or while subjects listened to calm music (n¼13), it was measured again for 15 min while in use and finally, 5 min after the interventions. BIM device reduced respiratory rate from 16 ± 3 beats per minute (b.p.m) to 5.5 ± 1.8 b.p.m (Po0.05), calm music did not affect this variable. Both interventions reduced systolic (À6 and À4 mm Hg for both) and diastolic BPs (À4 mm Hg and À3 mm Hg, respectively) and did not affect the HR (À1 and À2 b.p.m respectively). Only the BIM device reduced the sympathetic nerve activity of the sample (À8 bursts min -1 ). In conclusion, both device-guided slow breathing and listening to calm music have decreased BP but only the device-guided slow breathing was able to reduce the peripheral sympathetic nerve activity.

Decision making based on HBPM among haemodialysis patients has led to a better BP control during the interdialytic period in comparison with predialysis BP measurements. HBPM may be a useful adjuvant instrument for blood pressure control among haemodialysis patients.

. Previous exercise attenuates muscle sympathetic activity and increases blood flow during acute euglycemic hyperinsulinemia. J Appl Physiol 98: 866 -871, 2005. First published November 12, 2004 doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00251.2004.-Insulin infusion causes muscle vasodilation, despite the increase in sympathetic nerve activity. In contrast, a single bout of exercise decreases sympathetic activity and increases muscle blood flow during the postexercise period. We tested the hypothesis that muscle sympathetic activity would be lower and muscle vasodilation would be higher during hyperinsulinemia performed after a single bout of dynamic exercise. Twenty-one healthy young men randomly underwent two hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps performed after 45 min of seated rest (control) or bicycle exercise (50% of peak oxygen uptake). Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA, microneurography), forearm blood flow (FBF, plethysmography), blood pressure (BP, oscillometric method), and heart rate (HR, ECG) were measured at baseline (90 min after exercise or seated rest) and during hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps. Baseline glucose and insulin concentrations were similar in the exercise and control sessions. Insulin sensitivity was unchanged by previous exercise. During the clamp, insulin levels increased similarly in both sessions. As expected, insulin infusion increased MSNA, FBF, BP, and HR in both sessions (23 Ϯ 1 vs. 36 Ϯ 2 bursts/min, 1.8 Ϯ 0.1 vs. 2.2 Ϯ 0.2 ml ⅐ min Ϫ1 ⅐ 100 ml Ϫ1 , 89 Ϯ 2 vs. 92 Ϯ 2 mmHg, and 58 Ϯ 1 vs. 62 Ϯ 1 beats/min, respectively, P Ͻ 0.05). BP and HR were similar between sessions. However, MSNA was significantly lower (27 Ϯ 2 vs. 31 Ϯ 2 bursts/min), and FBF was significantly higher (2.2 Ϯ 0.2 vs. 1.8 Ϯ 0.1 ml ⅐ min Ϫ1 ⅐ 100 ml Ϫ1 , P Ͻ 0.05) in the exercise session compared with the control session. In conclusion, in healthy men, a prolonged bout of dynamic exercise decreases MSNA and increases FBF. These effects persist during acute hyperinsulinemia performed after exercise.