In normal subjects, peripheral vascular resistance decreases during dynamic exercise. We studied blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance responses to dynamic exercise in young normotensive type I diabetic patients.
Thirty adolescent diabetic patients (9–19 years of age) underwent a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer. In a subset of 14 patients, cardiac output was measured by a CO2 rebreathing method and peripheral vascular resistance was calculated. Twenty-four normal individuals, age and sex matched, served as control subjects.
Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in diabetic patients at intermediate workload (77 ± 2 vs. 71 ± 1 mmHg) and peak exercise (86 ± 2 vs. 73 ± 2 mmHg). Peripheral vascular resistance was significantly higher in diabetic patients at intermediate workload (17.0 ± 1.1 vs. 12.6 ± 0.5 mmHg·l−1 · min−1 · m−2) and peak exercise (16.3 ± 1.3 vs. 11.4 ± 0.5 mmHg ·l−1 · min−1 · m−2). There were no significant correlations with the patient's age, diabetes duration, or diabetes control.
We observed the decrease of vasodilator response during dynamic exercise in normotensive young type I diabetic patients.
