Increased mean arterial pressure response to dynamic exercise in normotensive subjects with multiple metabolic risk factors

Metabolic syndrome (MS) may influence vascular reactivity and might cause an excessive increase in blood pressure (BP) during dynamic exercise. We examined this hypothesis in 698 normotensive men (mean age: 43 years) free of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and renal disease. The response of BP to exercise was assessed by the mean arterial pressure (MAP) during bicycle ergometry. The MAP values were expressed as z-scores normalized to the relative increases in heart rate. High-normal BP, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia were diagnosed according to the Japan-specific MS criteria. The z-score of MAP was significantly higher in subjects with high-normal BP (+0.57, P