The influence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and physical activity level on blood pressure and heart rate variability behavior

This study compared blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) values considering the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphisms and physical activity (PA) level. Participants were stratified according to their ACE polymorphism and PA level. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect polymorphisms and PA level was assessed by questionnaire. Participants had their BP measured by an oscillometer and the HRV rerded using a heart monitor. Participants grouped by polymorphism II showed higher values of root mean square successive difference when compared to individuals with DD polymorphism. “Highly active”, compared to “active”, individuals exhibited a lower diastolic BP. There was no statistically significant difference in the behavior of the dependent variables between the different PA levels within each polymorphism. Polymorphism II attenuated parasympathetic activity in cardiac autonomic modulation and the “highly active” group displayed lower values of diastolic BP. PA level did not affect any variable when polymorphisms were considered.