Fábio da Silva Santana

Sedentary Behavior and Light Physical Activity Are Associated with Brachial and Central Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients

Background Physical activity is recommended as a part of a comprehensive lifestyle approach in the treatment of hypertension, but there is a lack of data about the relationship between different intensities of physical activity and cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the time spent in physical activities of different intensities and blood pressure levels, arterial stiffness and autonomic modulation in hypertensive patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 87 hypertensive patients (57.5 ± 9.9 years of age) had their physical activity assessed over a 7 day period using an accelerometer and the time spent in sedentary activities, light physical activities, moderate physical activities and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities was obtained. The primary outcomes were brachial and central blood pressure. Arterial stiffness parameters (augmentation index and pulse wave velocity) and cardiac autonomic modulation (sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation in the heart) were also obtained as secondary outcomes. Results Sedentary activities and light physical activities were positively and inversely associated, respectively, with brachial systolic (r = 0.56; P < 0.01), central systolic (r = 0.51; P < 0.05), brachial diastolic (r = 0.45; P < 0.01) and central diastolic (r = 0.42; P < 0.05) blood pressures, after adjustment for sex, age, trunk fat, number of antihypertensive drugs, accelerometer wear time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities. Arterial stiffness parameters and cardiac autonomic modulation were not associated with the time spent in sedentary activities and in light physical activities (P > 0.05). Conclusion Lower time spent in sedentary activities and higher time spent in light physical activities are associated with lower blood pressure, without affecting arterial stiffness and cardiac autonomic modulation in hypertensive patients.

Relação entre o desempenho nos testes de esforço em esteira e de seis minutos de caminhada em pacientes com claudicação intermitente dos membros inferiores

BACKGROUND: Six minute walk test and treadmill test have been used to evaluate the functional limitations of peripheral artery disease patients. However, whether these tests are correlated remain poorly known. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the total walk distance (TWD) assessed in the six minute walk test and in the treadmill test in patients with peripheral artery disease and symptoms of intermittent claudication. METHODS: Thirty-four patients (65.5 ± 8.9 yrs) of both genders (26 men 8 women) participated of the study. They performed the 6 minute walk test in a 30 meters hall and the treadmill test with a specific protocol, with an interval of at least 7 days between the tests. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Significant correlation was observed between TWD assessed in the six minute walk test and in the treadmill test. (r=0.48, p<0.01). Significant correlation between the TWD assessed in the tests were observed in the patients with lower hemodynamic limb commitment (r=0.69; p=0.01), while in the patients with higher hemodynamic limb commitment the correlation was not significant (r=0.03, p=0.91). Furthermore, a significant correlation between TWD obtained in the tests was observed in patients with low (r=0.57; p=0.02), and high levels of adiposity (r=0.48, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study shown that walking capacity obtained with the six minute walk test and treadmill test are correlated, except in the patients with higher limb hemodynamic commitment.

Association between active commuting and elevated blood pressure in adolescents

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a associacao entre o deslocamento ativo e a pressao arterial elevada em adolescentes. Metodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com estudantes do Ensino Medio da rede publica estadual de Pernambuco. Os dados de 6.039 estudantes de 14 a 19 anos foram coletados mediante questionario. Foram considerados “insuficientemente ativos” aqueles que relataram que em nenhum dos dias da ultima semana realizaram deslocamentos a pe ou de bicicleta e/ou aqueles que, independentemente da frequencia semanal de pratica desta atividade, [...]

Cardiovascular responses of peripheral artery disease patients during resistance exercise

BACKGROUND: Resistance training has been used for the treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, cardiovascular responses during this type of exercise have not been fully elucidated in these patients. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the cardiovascular responses during resistance exercise and to verify whether there are any correlations between these responses and disease severity or blood pressure levels in patients with PAD. METHODS: Seventeen PAD patients performed one set of 10 repetitions of knee extension exercise with an intensity of 50% of one repetition maximum. The responses of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored using the finger photoplethysmography technique. The rate-pressure product (RPP) was obtained by multiplication of SBP and HR. RESULTS: During the resistance exercises there were significant increases in SBP (126 ± 14 vs. 184 ± 20 mmHg, p<0.001), DBP (68 ± 8 vs. 104 ± 14 mmHg, p<0.001), HR (76 ± 18 vs. 104 ± 30 bpm, p<0.001) and RPP (9523 ± 2115 vs. 19103 ± 6098 mmHg x bpm, p<0.001). A negative correlation was observed between relative change (Δ) in SBP and SBP at rest (r =-0.549, p=0.022). On the other hand, there was no relationship between Δ SBP and the ankle-brachial index (r=0.076, p=0.771). CONCLUSION: Increases in cardiovascular variables were observed during resistance exercise in PAD patients. The highest increases occurred in patients with lower SBP levels at resting.