Cardiovascular conditions and blood pressure as risk factors for adverse events during exercise in individuals with respiratory conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/Keywords:
Respiratory Tract Diseases, Exercise, Rehabilitation, Arterial Pressure, Hypotension, Orthostatic.Abstract
This study aimed to describe cardiovascular
conditions and compare repeated measurements of systemic
blood pressure (BP) and orthostatic hypotension (HO) as risk
factors for adverse events during exercise in individuals with
chronic respiratory conditions. This was a cross-sectional
study including individuals evaluated to participate in a
rehabilitation program. Comorbidities, signs, and symptoms
of self-reported cardiovascular conditions, resting BP
(measured simultaneously in both arms with at least three
measurements), and criteria for OH were assessed. Forty-two
individuals were included: 67% were women, with a mean
age of 53±18 years, and 38% had post-COVID-19 condition.
Cardiovascular conditions were reported by up to 76%
of individuals, but only 13 required medical clearance for
exercise. A total of 85% achieved reproducible BP results
with only three measurements. The difference in systolic
BP between the full protocol and a single measurement in
one arm was −2.2 mmHg (95% CI −4.2 to −0.2). Only one
individual (3%) presented OH. Cardiovascular conditions are
common in individuals with chronic respiratory conditions
but generally do not contraindicate exercise. Furthermore,
repeated BP measurements do not appear to be necessary
in this context.
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