Abstract:
Arterial stiffness and central pressures have been identified as a strong, and independent
risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Exercise has been shown to
beneficially change arterial stiffness, central pressures and traditional risk factors in select
clinical settings. However, the effects of a standard cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program on
measures of arterial stiffness and central pressure have not been well studied. The purpose of this
study was to investigate if a standard Phase II CR program changed measures of arterial stiffness
and central blood pressures (BP). Secondarily, this study sought to determine if change in any
traditional risk factors was associated with a reduction in these measures. There were no
significant changes in central systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP),
pulse pressure (PP), AIx, AIx @ 75 beats per minute, and PWV at 18 and 36 sessions. Brachial
SBP was significantly greater (p<0.05) than aortic SBP measured by PWA at both time points
but there was no significant difference found between brachial and aortic DBP. No difference in
traditional risk factors (BP, BMI, or waist circumference) before and after 18 sessions of
standard care Phase II CR was found. There were no significant relationships found between
changes in traditional risk factors, central blood pressures and arterial stiffness.
