Patients with an aortic stent graft are recommended to do muscle strengthening exercise as part of their rehabilitation. But, as excess blood pressure pose a risk to the integrity of the stent graft, high intensity muscle strengthening exercise may potentially be detrimental, and hence moderate intensity muscle strengthening is recommended. However, the blood pressure changes during moderate intensity strengthening exercises are unknown, and this study aims to quantify these among patients and compare them to those of healthy volunteers.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the increase in blood pressure during quadriceps muscle strength training in patients with aortic stent graft.

Methods:

Patients with aortic stent graft will be included. The participants are investigated once. During the investigation, the blood pressure increase during a single strength training exercise (leg press) is measured. The strength training exercise is done at 60% of maximal strength (moderate intensity) corresponding to 15 Repitition Maximum (RM) (a load that can be lifted exactly 15 times).

Inclusion Criteria patients:

• Adults (+18y) with aortic stent graft following aortic dissection or aneurism
• Minimum 8 weeks post surgery
• Strengthening exercise approved by treating cardiologist
• Able to perform the exercise

Exclusion Criteria patients:

• Lack of ability to read, speak or understand instructions in Danish or English
• Other unspecified heart disease

Inclusion Criteria healthy volunteers:

• Adults (+18y)
• In good health (self report)

Exclusion Criteria healthy volunteers:

• Lack of ability to read, speak or understand instructions in Danish or English