Resposta Hipertensiva ao Exercício: uma Forma de Apresentação da Hipertensão Mascarada

Abstract

Blood pressure measurements outside the office allowed the identification of two opposing phenotypes, commonly known as white coat hypertension and masked hypertension (MH). Whether the hypertensive response to exertion, also called exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise, represents a marker of MH in individuals without a previous history of hypertension is not yet clear, but several follow-up studies have indicated that this finding is associated with the highest future incidence of arterial hypertension, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and cardiovascular events. Based on data from several studies, the most used definition for hypertensive response to exertion is 210/100 mmHg for men, 190/100 mmHg for women and 220/85mmHg for male athletes and 200/80 mmHg for female athletes. Measuring BP during a low-intensity exercise session (Bruce stage I/II or 70% of maximum theoretical heart rate) also seems to define increased cardiovascular risk, with good accuracy (values >170 mmHg). When the BP values during exercise exceed normal limits, it should be suspected MH and recommended a subsequent study to revaluate BP at home and ABPM, as well as study the cardiorenal repercussion.