Changes in the cortisol level under the influence of physical exertion in patients with hypertension and in practically healthy individuals

Abstract

Background. Today, there are difficulties with the prevention and diagnosis of early stages of hypertension, especially in active and able-bodied young people. Among the factors that potentiate an increase in blood pressure, one of the components is chronic stress, which a person often faces in modern society. The purpose of study is to evaluate and compare blood cortisol and plasma malondialdehyde content in healthy individuals and in patients with stage II hypertension before and after dosed exercises. Materials and methods. Thirty patients with stage II hypertension and 10 practically healthy persons were examined. Subjects performed two-stage physical exer­cises on a bicycle ergometer with an intensity corresponding to 50 and 75 % of the appropriate maximum oxygen consumption of the body. The duration of the load was equal to 5 minutes at each stage with a three-minute rest between them. Blood was taken from the ulnar vein before cycling ergometry and 5 minutes after it. Blood cortisol and plasma malondialdehyde content were determined in patients before and after exercises. Results. A significant increase in cortisol content after exercises was noted in healthy individuals against the background of some decrease in patients with hypertension. It has been suggested that since people with high blood pressure already have an elevated initial level of cortisol, their threshold of stress sensitivity to physical exertion is increased. Submaximal bicycle ergometric load does not lead to an increase in blood cortisol levels in hypertensive patients. Conclusions. The background higher level of cortisol in individuals with hypertension does not increase under the influence of submaximal dosed exercises. An increase in the level of malondialdehyde can be considered a marker of the degree of stress for assessing the power of physical exertion. In view of the above, it can be stated that the activation of the sympathoadrenal system under the influence of emotional stress leads to an increase in blood pressure. There is sufficient evidence that psycho-emotional stress is a cause of white-coat hypertension and hypertension in the workplace.