Postprandial changes in supine and erect heart rate, systemic blood pressure and plasma noradrenaline and renin activity in normal subjects.

The haemodynamic effects of a standard meal were assessed in a balanced cross-over study in eight normal fasting subjects, investigated under conditions applicable to many drug tests. Both the supine and erect diastolic blood pressure were reduced on average by 10 mmHg over the 4 h following the meal. The supine systolic pressure was increased on average by 2 mmHg, a difference of no biological relevance. Erect systolic blood pressure was not affected by eating. Supine heart rate was slightly but significantly increased, but the erect heart rate did not change. Postprandial plasma renin activity was increased. Venous plasma noradrenaline levels in the supine position were not affected by eating and after standing erect, and immobile for 5 min they were only slightly and not-significantly increased. A food-induced vasodepressor response combined with baroreceptor resetting is considered to have occurred in this population. The changes had a gradual onset, reaching their maximum about 2 h after eating and they were still evident after 3 h. Eating should be considered as an important potential source of bias in cardiovascular studies.