Hemodynamic response to isometric exercise in elderly subjects

: The haemodynamic responses to isometric exercise (handgrip) performed during right cardiac catheterization were tested in 9 elderly patients (1 female, 8 males) with average age of 67.8 +/- 2.3 years, without clinical and instrumental signs of cardiovascular disease. The parameters tested before and after handgrip were: heart rate (FC), systolic blood pressure (PAS), diastolic blood pressure (PAD), mean blood pressure (PAM), cardiac output (PC), cardiac index (IC), systolic index (IS), mean pulmonary pressure (PPM), end-diastolic pulmonary pressure (PPTD), systemic arterial resistance (RST), pulmonary arterial resistance (RPT), stroke volume (GS), left ventricular systolic stress index (ILS). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Student test. Stress produced a highly significant increase (p less than 0.001) of PPM (+28%) of PPTD (+ 33.1%), a modestly significant increase (p less than 0.01) of PAD (+ 15.6%), PAM (+ 18.2%), ILS (+ 24%,), RPT (+ 25%), a weakly significant increase (p less than 0.05) of PAS (+ 20%), RST (+ 15.6%). No significant variation attributable to FC, IC, IS, GS was observed. Our subjects presented a reduced tolerance to isometric exercise.