Abstract
Exercise tolerance in patients treated with CAPD is low compared to normals, however comparable to most studies of patients treated with hemodialysis. Blood pressure responses to graded exercise in the CAPD patients are abnormal, with dramatic yet non-symptomatic decreases in systolic pressure. In three patients tested with and without dialysate present in the abdomen, blood pressure responses were more appropriate (no fall in systolic pressure) in the empty condition. Recommendations at this time for exercise training for these patients is walking a minimum of three days per week at an intensity of 65–80% of maximal oxygen consumption (or below which any fall in systolic blood pressure occurs), working up to 30 minutes per exercise session. Patients exhibiting abnormal blood pressure responses to graded exercise should exercise with no fluid in the abdomen.
Exercise tolerance in renal patients treated with hemodialysis has been reported to be low (1–4). A goal of CAPD is to allow the patient to be more active, however, little is known about the effect of CAPD on exercise tolerance and hemodynamics during dynamic exercise.
The present study was designed to quantitate exercise tolerance in patients treated with CAPD and evaluate heart rate, electrocardiogram, and blood pressure responses to graded dynamic exercise.
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