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IOP, blood pressure have parallel increases during isometric exercise

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50(2):760-764.

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Systemic blood pressure and IOP were found to increase continuously during prolonged isometric exercise. Conversely, heart rate, blood pressure and IOP diminished during a subsequent rest period.

"Clinicians should be aware that a patient exerting isometric effort during IOP measurement may have misleadingly high IOP levels," the study authors said.

The study included three women and six men who rested for 30 seconds, squeezed a handgrip for 2 minutes and again rested for 30 seconds. Isometric exercise involved 40% maximum voluntary forearm contraction.

Investigators continuously monitored heart rate, systemic blood pressure and IOP during rest and exercise periods.

Study results showed that during exercise, average heart rate increased from 74 beats per minute to 93 beats per minute (29% increase); systolic blood pressure rose from 125 mm Hg to 169 mm Hg (36% increase); diastolic arterial blood pressure increased from 65 mm Hg to 96 mm Hg (49% increase); and IOP increased from 15 mm Hg to 19 mm Hg (25% increase). All changes were statistically significant (P < .005), the authors said.