Exercise training in women with heart disease: Influence of hormone replacement therapy

To examine the central and peripheral cardiovascular effects of exercise training in postmenopausal women with CAD with and without hormone replacement therapy (HRT and N-HRT). Thirty-eight female cardiac patients referred for cardiac rehabilitation were divided into HRT ( N= 18) or N-HRT (N = 20) groups. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2) peak and ventilatory anaerobic thresholds (AT) were determined, in addition to submaximal cardiac output (Q). Peripheral measures of resting and peak ischemic blood flows (BF) were also measured. Measurements were all repeated after 12 and 26 wk of exercise training consisting of 1 h of walking at 75-80% of the measured VO2peak at baseline (T1) for 5 d.wk(-1). VO2peak mL.kg(-1).min(-1) at baseline (14.9 +/- 0.4) increased by 5% after 12 wk (15.6 +/- 0.4) and significantly by 15% (17.2 +/- 0.5) after 26 wk of exercise training (P < 0.001). The HRT group was significantly younger than the N-HRT group (58 vs 65 yr; P < 0.01) and had significantly higher VO2peaks at baseline (15.7 vs 14.2 mL.kg(-1).min(-1); P < 0.05), yet either did not influence changes in other variables. At fixed submaximal work rates, there was a significant training bradycardia ( P < 0.01), but insignificant changes in Q or stroke volume regardless of HRT status. Resting and peak ischemic calf BF and vascular conductance increased significantly ( P < 0.001) at 12 and 26 wk, with no difference found according to HRT status. The cardiovascular responses to training in postmenopausal women with CAD appear to be consistent regardless of HRT status and dominated by peripheral adaptations.