Blood pressure levels are higher in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to healthy subjects during exercise stress test.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease that usually manifests at a younger age and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. The objective of this study was to assess the blood pressure response to exercise in patients with T1DM with varying durations of diabetes and with respect to the determinants of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during the exercise stress test. This cross-sectional exploratory study included 52 patients (35 with T1DM aged < 35 years and 17 aged > 35 years) and 25 control subjects. All participants were untrained and underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise stress test using a cycle ergometer and their BP was measured manually. Compared to control subjects, both younger and older patients with T1DM had higher SBP and DBP at submaximal exercise load 0,5 W/kg (SBP 124 ± 18; 142 ± 17; 146 ± 19 mmHg, p = 0.0004, respectively, and DBP 75 ± 10; 84 ± 7; 82 ± 7 mmHg, p = 0.0015, respectively), and at peak exercise (SBP 170 ± 24; 188 ± 26; 192 ± 23 mmHg, p = 0.0006, respectively. BP during exercise in T1DM patients in multivariate model was influenced by resting SBP, and diabetes duration. Patients with T1DM exhibited impaired BP control during exercise, which may serve as an early marker of heightened cardiovascular risk.