Effects of Isometric Handgrip Exercise versus Aerobic Exercise on Arterial Stiffness and Brachial Artery Flow-Mediated Dilation in Older Hypertensive Patients

Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that isometric handgrip (IHG) training improved local, endothelium-dependent vasodilation in medicated hypertensives [McGowan CL (PhD Thesis), 2006; McGowan et al. Physiologist 47: 285, 2004]. We investigated whether changes in the capacity of smooth muscle to dilate (regardless of endothelial factors) influenced this training-induced change, and we examined the acute vascular responses to a single bout of IHG. Seventeen subjects performed four 2-min unilateral IHG contractions at 30% of maximal voluntary effort, three times a week for 8 wk. Pre- and posttraining, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD, an index of endothelium-dependent vasodilation) and nitroglycerin-mediated maximal vasodilation (an index of endothelium-independent vasodilation) were measured in the exercised arm by using ultrasound before and immediately after acute IHG exercise. IHG training resulted in improved resting brachial FMD ( P < 0.01) and no change in nitroglycerin-mediated maximal vasodilation. Pre- and posttraining, brachial artery FMD decreased following an acute bout of IHG exercise (normalized to peak shear rate, pre-, before IHG exercise: 0.01 ± 0.002, after IHG exercise: 0.008 ± 0.002%/s−1; post-, before IHG exercise: 0.020 ± 0.003, after IHG exercise: 0.010 ± 0.003%/s−1; P < 0.01). Posttraining, resting brachial artery FMD improved yet nitroglycerin-mediated maximal vasodilation was unchanged in persons medicated for hypertension. This suggests that the training-induced improvements in the resting brachial artery FMD were not due to underlying changes in the forearm vasculature. Acute IHG exercise attenuated brachial artery FMD, and although this impairment may be interpreted as hazardous to medicated hypertensives with already dysfunctional endothelium, the effects appear transient as repeated exposure to the IHG stimulus improved resting endothelium-dependent vasodilation.

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Association of changes of pulse wave velocity and augmentation index after isometric handgrip exercise with coronary lesion extent and revascularization

Clinical Hypertension ◽

10.1186/s40885-021-00163-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Seong Taeg Kim ◽

Yeekyoung Ko ◽

Jong-Wook Beom ◽

Ki Yung Boo ◽

Jae-Geun Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Pulse Wave Velocity ◽

Iliac Artery ◽

Pulse Wave ◽

Augmentation Index ◽

Coronary Revascularization ◽

External Iliac Artery ◽

Handgrip Exercise ◽

Isometric Handgrip ◽

Isometric Handgrip Exercise

Abstract Background Arterial stiffness is associated with myocardial ischemia and incident coronary artery disease (CAD), and indexes of arterial stiffness are usually increased in patients with CAD. However, these indexes are often increased in elderly without CAD. Arterial stiffness in patients with CAD may become more evident after isometric handgrip exercise which increases systolic pressure and ventricular afterload. We investigated the association of the change of stiffness indexes after isometric handgrip exercise with the lesion extent of CAD and the necessity for coronary revascularization. Methods Patients who were scheduled a routine coronary angiography via a femoral artery were enrolled. Arterial waveforms were traced at aortic root and external iliac artery using coronary catheters at baseline and 3 min after handgrip exercise. Augmentation index (AIx) was measured on the recorded aortic pressure waveform, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) was calculated using the ECG-gated time difference of the upstroke of arterial waveforms and distance between aortic root and external iliac artery. Results Total 37 patients were evaluated. Both PWV and AIx increased after handgrip exercise. ΔPWV was significantly correlated with ΔAIx (r = 0.344, P = 0.037). Patients were divided into higher and lower ΔPWV or ΔAIx groups based on the median values of 0.4 m/sec and 3.3%, respectively. Patients with higher PWV had more 2- or 3-vessel CAD (69% vs. 27%, P = 0.034), and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) more frequently (84% vs. 50%, P = 0.038), but higher ΔAIx was not associated with either the lesion extent or PCI. Area under curve (AUC) of ΔPWV in association with PCI by C-statistics was 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51–0.88; P = 0.056). In multiple logistic regression analysis, ΔPWV was significantly associated with PCI (odds ratio 7.78; 95% CI 1.26–48.02; P = 0.027). Conclusions Higher ΔPWV after isometric handgrip exercise was associated with the lesion extent of CAD and the necessity for coronary revascularization, but higher ΔAIx was not.

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Hematological and Pressor Hormone Responses to Mental Stress in Essential Hypertensive Patients: A Comparison with Isometric Handgrip Exercise.

Hypertension Research ◽

10.1291/hypres.15.33 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 33-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hironosuke Sakamoto ◽

Kouji Imataka ◽

Hiroshi Nishimura ◽

Jun Fujii

Keyword(s):

Mental Stress ◽

Handgrip Exercise ◽

Isometric Handgrip ◽

Hypertensive Patients ◽

Isometric Handgrip Exercise ◽

Hormone Responses

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Effects of Isometric Handgrip Exercise Training on Systemic Arterial Stiffness, Cardiovagal Baroreflex Sensitivity, and Cognition in Treated Adults with Hypertension: A Pilot Study

Critical Reviews in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine ◽

10.1615/critrevphysrehabilmed.2018026589 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 219-237

Author(s):

Kylie S. Dempster ◽

Cheri L. McGowan ◽

Terrance J. Wade ◽

Deborah D. O'Leary

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Baroreflex Sensitivity ◽

Handgrip Exercise ◽

Isometric Handgrip ◽

Isometric Handgrip Exercise ◽

Systemic Arterial Stiffness

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Efektivitas Isometric Handgrip Exercise dalam Menurunkan Tekanan Darah pada Pasien Hipertensi

Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan Sandi Husada ◽

10.35816/jiskh.v12i2.364 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 615-624

Author(s):

Ricky Nuh Zainuddin ◽

Paramitha Labdullah

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Blood Pressure Reduction ◽

Reduce Blood Pressure ◽

Pharmacological Therapy ◽

Control Group ◽

Handgrip Exercise ◽

Isometric Handgrip ◽

Hypertensive Patients ◽

Isometric Handgrip Exercise

Abstract. Background: Hypertension has a significant impact on public health and has become a major health care burden worldwide. One non-pharmacological therapy that can be given to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients is Isometric Handgrip Exercise exercise therapy. This therapy has been shown to reduce blood pressure which is almost the same as intense aerobic exercise. This literature review aims to analyze the effects of the application of Isometric Handgrip Exercise in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Method: This research explores quantitative evidence published in electronic databases such as Pubmed, and Google Scholar. Using a search strategy, we identified 16 articles that were potentially and relevant to the research objectives, and 4 articles were included in the final analysis. Results: We could see a significant effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction in the group given the Isometric Handgrip Exercise intervention compared with the control group. Conclusion: Research results from several articles in this review literature show that Isometric Handgrip Exercise exercises are proven to be effective in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

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Is Low-Intensity Isometric Handgrip Exercise an Efficient Alternative in Lifestyle Blood Pressure Management? A Systematic Review

Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

10.1177/1941738120943882 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 470-477 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrés F. Loaiza-Betancur ◽

Iván Chulvi-Medrano

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Isometric Exercise ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Handgrip Exercise ◽

Isometric Handgrip ◽

Hypertensive Patients ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Isometric Handgrip Exercise

Context: High blood pressure is one of the leading preventable causes of cardiovascular death worldwide. In this regard, several studies have shown interest in the benefits of isometric exercise on blood pressure regulation. Objective: To assess whether low-intensity isometric handgrip exercise (LI-IHE) is an effective strategy to lower blood pressure levels in prehypertensive and hypertensive patients. Data Source: This study was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement and registered with PROSPERO. Potentially eligible studies were identified after a systematic search conducted on 4 international databases: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PEDro, and SPORTDiscus. Study Selection: We included randomized controlled trials that comprised patients who received LI-IHE. Study Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Data Extraction: Data related to patient characteristics, exercise programs, risk-of-bias assessment, and outcomes of interest were systematically reviewed independently by 2 authors. Results: The following reductions (mean differences) were observed after LI-IHE: systolic blood pressure (SBP), (MD) = −5.43 mm Hg; (95% CI, −8.47 to −2.39; P = 0.0005); diastolic blood pressure (DBP), −2.41 mm Hg (95% CI, −4.33 to −0.48; P = 0.01); mean arterial pressure (MAP), −1.28 mm Hg (95% CI, −2.99 to 0.44; P = 0.14). Conclusion: LI-IHE seems to lower SBP, DBP, and MAP values in prehypertensive and hypertensive adults. It appears that LI-IHE reduces, in greater magnitude, blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients, specifically in patients aged <45 years, those who are overweight, and those on medications. Nevertheless, substantial heterogeneity in the main results and in the analyses by subgroups generated uncertainty about the real reduction magnitude that LI-IHE can produce on blood pressure.

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