ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the levels of blood pressure when measured by casual and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. METHODS: We studied 16 sedentary and normotensive subjects (mean 43 +/- 3 years old) showing an exaggerated blood pressure response (SBP > 220 mmHg) during a cycloergometric test, hyperreactive group (HG). This group was compared to 15 others with SBP < or = 220 mmHg during exercise, normoreactive group (NG). Casual blood pressure was obtained by the conventional method and the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was obtained with SpaceLabs 90207 monitor. This procedure (test 1) was repeated after four months (test 2). RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically higher levels of blood pressure when measured by ABPM device, compared to casual measurements. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in HG in casual measurement, in test 1 but not in test 2. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in HG only through the ABPM device. The ambulatory blood pressure average values for two or 24 hours was similar in both groups. No significant differences were observed in left ventricular morphology at the echocardiogram. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that hyperreactive subjects have an exaggerated stress-induced cardiovascular response during the installation of the device.
