The role of baroreflex sensitivity in post-exercise hypotension.

We investigated whether changes in baroreflex sensitivity could explain the drop in blood pressure after exercise in 12 borderline hypertensive subjects. Intra-arterial blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity (phenylephrine method) were measured before and 10, 20, 40 and 60 min after maximal exercise. Systolic blood pressure was lower at all stages after exercise. Baroreflex sensitivity was reduced at 10 min, recovered at 20 min and rose above control values at 40 and 60 min. Although the baroreflex sensitivity recovers slowly after exercise, at 40 and 60 min it is higher than the control value and could therefore contribute to the sustained reduction in blood pressure after a period of heavy exercise.