High Blood Pressure In Children Is Paralleled By An Elevated Heart Rate During Exercise

PURPOSE: High blood pressure and heart rate during exercise have been linked to future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore the association of elevated blood pressure and heart rate were examined in young children. METHODS: Baseline data consist of 180 children with mean age of 6.4±0.5.years enrolled in a 4 year prospective exercise program. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were measured at rest, during standardized ergometric exercise (25 watts, 2 minutes) and 5 minutes after exercise. RESULTS: In all subjects heart rate during exercise correlated significantly (p<0.001) with systolic BP. In 21 children (12%) BP at rest and during exercise was above normal. In those with elevated BP heart rate during exercise was higher with 165±22 beats/min when compared with 151±21 beats/min in normotensives (p< 0.001). This was also true for the rate-pressure product, which reflects the level of myocardial oxygen consumption during exercise. There were no significant differences in heart rate at rest before and 5 minutes after exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Out of the study group 12% of children have elevated blood pressure at rest and during standardized exercise. Even in this young age elevated arterial pressure is paralleled by an increased heart rate during exercise which refers to a reduced exercise capacity. This association highlights the potential value to future cardiovascular health of therapeutic strategies to normalize elevated blood pressure as early as possible.