Effects of Post-Exertional Malaise on markers of arterial stiffness in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, by Joshua Bond, Tessa Nielsen and Lynette Hodges in Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Feb 28;18(5):2366 [doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052366]

Research abstract:

Background:

Evidence is emerging that individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) may suffer from chronic vascular dysfunction as a result of illness-related oxidative stress and vascular inflammation. The study aimed to examine the impact of maximal-intensity aerobic exercise on vascular function 48 and 72 h into recovery.

Methods:

ME/CFS (n = 11) with gender and age-matched controls (n = 11) were randomly assigned to either a 48 h or 72 h protocol. Each participant had measures of brachial blood pressure, augmentation index (AIx75, standardized to 75 bpm) and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV) taken. This was followed by a maximal incremental cycle exercise test. Resting measures were repeated 48 or 72 h later (depending on group allocation).

Results:

No significant differences were found when ME/CFS were directly compared to controls at baseline. During recovery, the 48 h control group experienced a significant 7.2% reduction in AIx75 from baseline measures (p < 0.05), while the matched ME/CFS experienced no change in AIx75. The 72 h ME/CFS group experienced a non-significant increase of 1.4% from baseline measures. The 48 h and 72 h ME/CFS groups both experienced non-significant improvements in crPWV (0.56 ms-1 and 1.55 ms-1, respectively).

Conclusions:

The findings suggest that those with ME/CFS may not experience exercise-induced vasodilation due to chronic vascular damage, which may be a contributor to the onset of post-exertional malaise (PEM).

Health Rising: Are stiffened arteries increasing cardiovascular risk in ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia? by Cort Johnson, 6 April 2020

• No evidence of arterial stiffness was found at baseline in ME/CFS, but the 48 hours after-exercise ME/CFS patients’ arterial stiffness was increased relative to the controls.
• Exercise had increased arterial elasticity in the healthy controls but not in the people with ME/CFS.