Ventilation and hemodynamics as control parameters of spa treatment]

Physical endurance training as practised at spas in the active treatment of hypertension will usually result in an increase in oxygen supply reserves and will also improve haemodynamics, so that it could help in objectively identifying the success of cardiovascular treatment. For this reason we conducted a bicycle ergometer load test in recumbent position in a group of 23 male hypertensives in stages I and II (age between 25 and 58 years) before and after a treatment course at a spa of 4 to 5 weeks' duration. The measurement parameters were ECG, blood pressure, cardiac output and the ventilatory parameters tidal volume, oxygen uptake, respiratory equivalent and respiratory quotient. Significant blood pressure reductions were seen if the load did not exceed 75 watts. The treatment course had a definite influence on cardiac output at rest and under stress. The treatment course achieves reduction and largely also normalisation of the tidal volume which is otherwise higher than in healthy persons. No influence is exercised on the respiratory equivalent. Reduction of the tidal volume and of the oxygen uptake, as well as reduction of the respiratory quotient after the treatment course can be interpreted as an improvement in the economy of the cardiovascular system. The ventilatory parameters are only conditionally suitable for arriving at an objective assessment of the curative effect of the treatment course.