Table 1 Clinical characteristics of the study participants

Age (years)

46 ± 12

46 ± 10

45 ± 10

BMI (kg/m²)

24 ± 3

25 ± 4

26 ± 5*

Office SBP (mmHg)

117 ± 9

126 ± 14•

118 ± 21

Office DBP (mmHg)

79 ± 4

79 ± 9

82 ± 12

Never smoker/smoker/ex

14/6/5

11/4/5

13/2/5

Deep Breathing (E:I)

1.36 ± 0.14

1.33 ± 0.12

1.36 ± 0.17

Lying to Standing (30:15)

1.42 ± 0.39

1.20 ± 0.14*

1.45 ± 0.28‡

Valsalva ratio

2.07 ± 0.70

1.68 ± 0.33*

1.95 ± 0.46†

Standing ΔSBP

[-5, -20 +10]

[-10, -45 +10]

[-8, -30 +10]