Exercise-Induced Hypertension in Healthy Individuals and Athletes: Is it an Alarming Sign?

Linha Lina M Mohammed; Meera Dhavale; Mohamed K Abdelaal; A B M Nasibul Alam; Tatjana Blazin; Dhruvil Prajapati; Jihan A Mostafa

doi:10.7759/cureus.11988

Exercise-Induced Hypertension in Healthy Individuals and Athletes: Is it an Alarming Sign?

Cureus. 2020 Dec 9;12(12):e11988. doi: 10.7759/cureus.11988.

Authors

Linha Lina M Mohammed¹, Meera Dhavale², Mohamed K Abdelaal³, A B M Nasibul Alam¹, Tatjana Blazin², Dhruvil Prajapati², Jihan A Mostafa⁴

Affiliations

¹ Miscellaneous, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA.
² Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA.
³ Surgery/General and Visceral Surgery, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA.
⁴ Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, California Institute of Behavorial Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA.

Abstract

Exercise-induced hypertension (EIH) is defined as elevated blood pressure (BP) > 190mm Hg for females and > 210 mmHg for males during exercise. EIH is prevalent among athletes and healthy individuals with no cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. While previous data corroborates exercise in reducing hypertension and cardiovascular risk, the development of EIH and its attendant cardiovascular risk necessitates a review of the pathophysiological mechanisms resulting in EIH. To date, these mechanisms causing EIH are not fully understood, nor are there any established guidelines on the management of EIH. In this article, we discuss in detail the pathophysiological mechanisms, the prognostic value, clinical implications, possible treatment, and future directions in managing EIH.

Keywords: athletes; blood pressure; cardiovascular risk; exercise; hypertension; prevention of cardiovascular disease; sports medicine.

Publication types

Review