Cardiovascular risk factors and blood pressure response to various types of exercise in veteran athletes

Abstract

Aim. To study the main cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors and assess the blood pressure (BP) response to various types of exercise in veteran athletes.Material and methods. In order to identify the main CVR factors, 234 competitive athletes and 29 persons practicing physical training were interviewed. We also measured their pre- and post-exercise BP. The previously diagnosed hypertension (HTN) was also taken into account.Results. Among the participants, HTN was diagnosed in 48,5% of athletes, obesity — in 21%, smoking — in 22,9%, while 15,5% had a positive family history of coronary artery disease. The combination of two or more studied risk factors was observed in 35,7% of the subjects. The prevalence of the studied risk factors in participants significantly depended on the type of physical activity. The most unfavorable situation was obtained among hockey players. The highest pre-exercise diastolic BP values were registered in football players (p<0,05), while after exercise, in hockey and football players. In persons with obesity and HTN, the pre- and post-exercise systolic and diastolic BP, as well as the double product, were significantly (p<0,05) higher than in those without HTN and obesity.Conclusion. Veteran athletes practically do not differ from the general population in prevalence of HTN, smoking, and obesity. Elevated pre-and post-exercise BP values (>139/89 mm Hg) was recorded in >40% of veteran athletes. The highest BP levels were found among volleyball and football players. The factors predisposing to such an increase in pre- and post-exercise BP in veteran athletes are obesity, diagnosed HTN, and a positive family history of coronary artery disease. There is reason to consider BP >139/89 mm Hg in the early recovery period as an unfavorable indicator.