ACE polymorphisms and the acute response of blood pressure to a walk in medicated hypertensive patients

Hypothesis/Introduction: Polymorphisms of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene can interfere with exercise-induced acute blood pressure (BP) reduction. This cross-over study investigated the acute effect of a single walk on BP and tested whether polymorphisms of the ACE gene might explain the variation in BP responses. Materials and methods: Thirty-four healthy medicated individuals were randomized to one control and one walking session at 60–75% of heart rate reserve. Subjects left the laboratory wearing an ambulatory BP monitor until waking the next morning. Results: Overall, systolic BP was somewhat lower following the walking session (p=.06), which could be attributed to a consistently lower systolic BP for 5 h after exercise (p-interaction