Gender differences in diastolic blood pressure and autonomic regulation of heart rate at different values of additional respiratory resistance

Abstract

Intensive work of the inspiratory muscles can cause a metabolite-stimulated pressor reflex, commonly referred to as the respiratory muscle metaboreflex.

The aim of the study is to evaluate gender differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and autonomic regulation of heart rhythm (ARHR) during the generation of the metaboreflex of the respiratory muscles at different values of additional respiratory resistance (ARR).

Materials and Methods. Healthy young men (22.4 ± 3.8 years, n = 34) and women (21.5 ± 3.8 years, n = 28) underwent lung function testing, ARHR assessment, and continuous recording of DB against the background of ARR modeling, which was used as inspiratory resistive loads at values of 40 and 60% of maximal intraoral pressure (Pmmax) for 10 min.

Results. The initial gender differences in DBP were noted: the indicators of men exceeded those of women. A 10-minute presentation of DRS with a value of 40% Pmmax showed a slight dependence of DBP on gender. At 60% Pmmax, men had the highest degree of excess over women: the average DBP in men was 91 ± 4 mmHg, with an average DBP in women of 82 ± 5 mmHg (p = 0.042). The most pronounced differences in blood pressure in men and women were noted in the first three minutes after resistive breathing was activated at 60% Pmmax. Such changes in DBP in men were accompanied by a more pronounced increase in BPSR indicators, which characterize the level of sympathetic influences, compared with women.

Conclusions. The DBP response to the standardized work of the inspiratory muscles in women is less pronounced and occurs against a background of a less pronounced sympathetic reaction than in men.