Correlation between Change in Blood Pressure and V02max in Indian Patients of Ischemic Heart Disease after Ischemic Reversal Program Therapy

Abstract

Background: The control of blood pressure (BP) is crucial in improving the outcomes of ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients. Ischemia Reversal Program (IRP) has been proved to improve the aerobic capacity of IHD patients, but further validation is needed. Methodology: This retrospective study used the data of 78 patients who had visited Madhavbaug Clinics between July and December 2018. The mean VO2max, systolic BP (SBP), and diastolic BP (DBP) with heart rate (HR) after day 30 of IRP completion was compared with that on day 1 of IRP initiation. These values were evaluated separately after classifying the patients as those being normotensive and those having either elevated BP or hypertension (HTN). Pearson's test was used to correlate the change in SBP or DBP with VO2max. Results: Majority of the patients were male (n = 54) with the mean age of 59.94 ± 9.46 years. Majority of the IHD patients had elevated BP or HTN (n = 56). The mean HR decrease in both, the normotensive group and the group with elevated BP/hypertensive patients, was found to be statistically significant at the follow-up (P < 0.05). The mean SBP (119.48 ± 12.26 mmHg vs. 135.29 ± 15.59 mmHg) and the mean DBP (77.41 ± 9.06 mmHg vs. 91.18 ± 8.86 mmHg) were significantly decreased in the hypertensive group of patients at the follow-up (P < 0.05). For the normotensive patients, they were maintained in the normal range (P > 0.05). The negative correlations of SBP (R = −0.12, P > 0.05) and DBP (R = −0.32, P < 0.05) changes with VO2maxchange were found. Conclusion: IRP increased the VO2maxand reduced the BP in IHD patients with elevated BP. The reduction in BP correlated with an increase in VO2maxin IHD patients.