Significance of physical exercise in hypertension. Influence of water temperature and beta-blockade on blood pressure, degree of cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac function in swimming training of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In previous studies swimming training (ST) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at 36 degrees water temperature (WT) led to a decrease in blood pressure (BP). A similar effect of ST has not been described in human hypertension. Our purpose was to investigate the influence of WT on this training effect, the influence of ST on LV hypertrophy and the involvement of adrenergic stimuli in the latter. Male SHR (20 weeks old) were divided randomly into 4 groups. 1) SHR sedentary 2) SHR ST 36 degrees 3) SHR ST 26 degrees 4) SHR ST 36 degrees + atenolol (50 mg/kg/die). ST was performed 2 X 90 min/day for 31 days and then reduced to 2 X 60 min/day. After 7 weeks of ST BP was lower in all ST groups compared with SHR sedentary (p less than 0.001). BP was higher in ST 26 degrees than in ST 36 degrees (p less than 0.05). No additional effect of atenolol on BP was observed. The increase in the degree of LV hypertrophy during ST (ST 36 degrees: +15%; ST 26 degrees: +26%) could be prevented by atenolol (ST 36 degrees + atenolol: -1.5%). ST 36 degrees led to improved ventricular and myocardial performance with decreased LV wall stress ("luxury hypertrophy"), while in ST 26 degrees ventricular dilatation occurred with increased systolic wall stress and elevated LVEDP. It was uncertain whether this should be interpreted as a state of LV pre-insufficiency in ST 26 degrees in spite of no indications of impaired myocardial contractile capability. Peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) was significantly reduced by ST. The reduction was more evident in ST 26 degrees, but was partially compensated for by an increased cardiac output. The weights of adrenal glands increased (p less than 0.001), most markedly for ST 26 degrees. The level of thyroid hormones (T3 and fT3) was increased in ST 26 degrees. In summary, ST proved to be effective in lowering BP of SHR. WT had great influence with respect to cardiovascular adaptation and mechanisms involved in ST of SHR. Cardioadrenergic drive was of great significance for the process of hypertrophy during ST in SHR.