Association between Aging and Changes in the Ankle-Brachial Index after Exercise in Patients with Chest Pain

Background: The ankle-brachial index is a useful tool to detect lower extremity peripheral artery disease, which is affected by exercise. The aging process causes degenerative vascular changes. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association between aging and changes in the ankle-brachial index after exercise. Methods: We analyzed data from ninety-nine patients who underwent ankle-brachial index tests and graded maximal aerobic exercise tests because of chest pain. The ankle-brachial index was measured before and after the exercise test. The correlation between age and changes in the ankle-brachial index after exercise was investigated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The ankle-brachial index decreased after exercise, compared with that at rest (before vs. after: 1.11±0.06 vs. 1.05±0.08, P＜0.001, 1.12±0.06, vs. 1.06±0.08, P＜0.001; right and left, respectively). Upper-extremity systolic blood pressure did not change from baseline, and upper extremity diastolic blood pressure only increased slightly. However, the lower-extremity systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased significantly. The correlation coefficients of the association between aging and changes in both the right and left ankle-brachial index indices were 0.319 and 0.255 (P=0.001 and P=0.011), respectively. Conclusion: A positive correlation was observed between aging and changes in the ankle-brachial index after exercise.