Effect Of A Walking Session On Blood Pressure And Endothelial Function In Peripheral Arterial Disease

Endothelial dysfunction is one of the central pathophysiological mechanisms of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Thus, individuals with PAD have decreased flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and this dysfunction plays an important role in the effort intolerance observed in this disease. PURPOSE: Walking is recommended in the treatment of PAD as it increases walking capacity, and each walking session is expected to promote improvement in FMD, which was investigated in this study. METHODS: 15 individuals with PAD (69.9 ± 6.9) of both sexes performed 2 experimental sessions, carried out in random order: a submaximal walking session (treadmill, 15 series, 2:2 min active: rest, moderate intensity) and one (rest standing on the treadmill for 60 minutes). In each session, blood pressure (BP - auscultatory method) and FMD (brachial artery ultrasound) were assessed before and after the interventions. Data were analyzed by 2-factor ANOVAs (session x time) for repeated measures, adopting p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Systolic and mean BP decreased significantly in the walking session and increased in the control session, while FMD increased only in the walking session (systolic BP = -7 ± 4 vs +7 ± 3 mmHg, pinteration = 0.03; mean BP = -4 ± 1 vs +5 ± 2, pinteration = 0.02; and FMD = +1.3 ± 0.2 vs -0.2 ± 0.1%, p interation = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A moderate walking session reduces BP and improves post-exercise endothelial function in individuals with PAD. FAPESP 2022/04073-1