Byomarkers – ABC CARDIOL

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Editorial

In Search of the Perfect Marker

Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for most contemporary morbidity and mortality. In Brazil, data show growth in indicators with a great socioeconomic impact.

Risk factors such as altered lipids, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, dietary errors, psychosocial factors, and physical inactivity are responsible for most of the risk of myocardial infarction worldwide in both sexes and at all ages in all regions, as was well demonstrated in the INTERHEART Study.

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Original Article

Physiological Responses to Maximal and Submaximal Walking in Patients with Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease

Marcel Chehuen et al. Aluisio Andrade-Lima Natan Silva Junior Roberto Miyasato … Rodrigo W. Alves de Souza Anthony Leicht Patricia Chakur Brum Edilamar M. Oliveira Nelson Wolosker Claudia Lucia de Moraes Forjaz

Abstract

Background:

Although maximal and submaximal walking are recommended for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), performing these exercises may induce different physiological responses.

Objectives:

To compare the acute effects of maximal and submaximal walking on post-exercise cardiovascular function, regulation, and associated pathophysiological processes in patients with symptomatic PAD.

Methods:

Thirty male patients underwent 2 sessions: maximal walking (Gardner’s protocol) and submaximal walking (15 bouts of 2 minutes of walking separated by 2 minutes of upright rest). In each session, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cardiac autonomic modulation (HR variability), forearm and calf blood flows (BF), vasodilatory capacity (reactive hyperemia), nitric oxide (NO), oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation), and inflammation (four markers) were measured pre- and post-walking. ANOVAs were employed, and p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Systolic and mean BP decreased after the submaximal session, but they increased after the maximal session (interactions, p 0.05), and it increased after maximal walking (interaction, p < 0.001). HR, sympathovagal balance, and BF increased similarly after both sessions (moment, p < 0.001, p = 0.04, and p 0.05). Vascular and intercellular adhesion molecules increased similarly after both maximal and submaximal walking sessions (moment, p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

In patients with symptomatic PAD, submaximal, but not maximal walking reduced post-exercise BP, while maximal walking maintained elevated cardiac overload during the recovery period. On the other hand, maximal and submaximal walking sessions similarly increased post-exercise HR, cardiac sympathovagal balance, and inflammation, while they did not change post-exercise NO bioavailability and oxidative stress.