Effects of Leg Muscle Pumping and Tensing on Orthostatic Arterial Pressure: A Study in Normal Subjects and Patients with Autonomic Failure

Abstract

1. The effects of leg muscle pumping (tiptoeing) and tensing (leg-crossing) on orthostatic blood pressure were investigated in six healthy adult subjects (aged 28–34 years) and in seven patients with severe hypoadrenergic orthostatic hypotension (aged 20–65 years). 2. Finger arterial pressure was monitored. Relative changes in left ventricular stroke volume were computed by a pulse contour method. 3. Tiptoeing increased mean arterial pressure (7 ± 5 mmHg) in the healthy subjects, but not in the patients, whereas cardiac output increased in both groups, although by more in the healthy adults than in the patients (35 ± 10% versus 20 ± 11%, P < 0.05). Systemic vascular resistance decreased substantially in both groups while tiptoeing. Leg-crossing did not affect arterial pressure in the healthy subjects, although stroke volume had increased. In contrast, in the patients an increase in cardiac output (16 ± 12%) and mean blood pressure (13 ± 13 mmHg) was observed. 4. Tiptoeing and leg-crossing have different effects on orthostatic blood pressure in healthy adult subjects and in patients with autonomic failure. In normal humans, tiptoeing increases arterial pressure, whereas leg-crossing has little effect. In the patients, in contrast, tiptoeing has little effect, whereas leg-crossing increases arterial pressure considerably. Patients with autonomic failure should be instructed to apply leg-crossing to combat orthostatic dizziness.