Heart rate and Upper Limb exercises

hi
i was wondering if there is a relation with small muscles group and big muscles group influence on heart rate. Why is that small muscles group will cause a higher rise in BP compared to that of a large muscle group??
thanks

[Physiobase]

Can you please give a bit more specific example. I am not sure that this is correct?

Does upper limb exercises cause a greater increase in heart rate than lower limb exercises? besides the proximity of the extremities as a reason, what could be the other leading causes??
thanks

[Fiona Schreuder]

UL exercise does increase HR more than LL exercise but am not sure of the exact physiological mechanism. Could it be due to the fact that we are less used to performing UL ex and therefore these muscles are less physiologically effective therefore demanding more cardiac output? Why don't you do a literature search?

[mcasus]

The bp is increased with UE exercise since the muscle contractions increase the peripheral vascular resistance to a greater degree than what is found in LE muscle contraction. Muscle volume has an impact, and the muscles in the UE are generally smaller in volume than those in the LE. When working with patients with compromised cardiac status one should always be cognizant of the impact on cardiac function of increased peripheral vascular resistance, as well as the negative impact of increased blood pressure with isometric exercise in the absence of adequate cardiac monitoring. In Quebec an excellent course is given regarding this topic (Exercise Prescription) by two physios from the Universite de Montreal.

[edsonlizarazo]

Exercises have a blood flow redistribution component. Arterial dilation is seen in places being exercised and constriction in places where no activity is carried on.
In UE exercises, blood is re-directed to this area and the amount decreases in LE. Therefore smallest blood vessels are containing a bigger amount of blood.
The heart has to increase its contraction strength to deliver blood to UE. This is known as the afterload of the left heart (ventricle). this mechanism increases of course the diastolic BP. In LE activities the Diastolic BP tends to decrease due to the same effect in bigger blood vessels.
UE activities are contraindicated in patients with Hypertension and after certain heart conditions.
When you prescribe UE exercises, the formula has to decrease the HR by 10 bpm.
Instead of 220 - age for males, it has to be 210- age. and 200- age for females.
Remember that these patients usually have med prescriptions that interfere with HR (digitalis, B-Blockers etc..) A Borg scale of perceived exertion could be more accurate in monitoring their exercise response.