Cardiovascular Responses during and after Maximal Walking in Men and Women with Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease

Background Walking is recommended for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). It has been shown that PAD present sharper increases in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during maximal walking when compared healthy subjects. Additionally, women a worse physiological profile, it possible they may higher cardiovascular load after bout of than men. Thus, the objective this study was to compare autonomic responses between men intermittent claudication (IC). Methods Forty IC (20 20 women) underwent, random order, 2 sessions: control (standing on treadmill) exercise (maximal treadmill test Gardner's protocol). During exercise, HR BP were measured. Before sessions, variables (BP HR, cardiac output, vascular resistance, stroke volume) modulation (HR variabilities baroreflex sensitivity) assessed. In addition, an ambulatory monitoring recorded each session. Results Men presented similar capacity. test, systolic increased similarly women. After walking, did not differ genders. postintervention parameters also Therefore, women, reduced clinic volume, total power variability recovery period. Conclusions walking.