Post-Exercise Hypotension and Its Mechanisms Differ after Morning and Evening Exercise: A Randomized Crossover Study, 2015, Leandro de Brito

Abstract
Post-exercise hypotension (PEH), calculated by the difference between post and pre-exercise values, it is greater after exercise performed in the evening than the morning. However, the hypotensive effect of morning exercise may be masked by the morning circadian increase in blood pressure.

This study investigated PEH and its hemodynamic and autonomic mechanisms after sessions of aerobic exercise performed in the morning and evening, controlling for responses observed after control sessions performed at the same times of day.

Sixteen pre-hypertensive men underwent four sessions (random order): two conducted in the morning (7:30am) and two in the evening (5pm). At each time of day, subjects underwent an exercise (cycling, 45 min, 50%VO2peak) and a control (sitting rest) session. Measurements were taken pre- and post-interventions in all the sessions. The net effects of exercise were calculated for each time of day by [(post-pre exercise)-(post-pre control)] and were compared by paired t-test (P<0.05). Exercise hypotensive net effects (e.g., decreasing systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure) occurred at both times of day, but systolic blood pressure reductions were greater after morning exercise (-7±3 vs. -3±4 mmHg, P<0.05). Exercise decreased cardiac output only in the morning (-460±771 ml/min, P<0.05), while it decreased stroke volume similarly at both times of day and increased heart rate less in the morning than in the evening (+7±5 vs. +10±5 bpm, P<0.05). Only evening exercise increased sympathovagal balance (+1.5±1.6, P<0.05) and calf blood flow responses to reactive hyperemia (+120±179 vs. -70±188 U, P<0.05).

In conclusion, PEH occurs after exercise conducted at both times of day, but the systolic hypotensive effect is greater after morning exercise when circadian variations are considered. This greater effect is accompanied by a reduction of cardiac output due to a smaller increase in heart rate and cardiac sympathovagal balance.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0132458

 

I can barely walk 2 blocks in the morning, but can power walk for one hour in the evenings and sit upright after for a long period of time.

I feel an improved level of wellness after 5 p.m.

 

If my memory is ok, this holds true for most pwME. For a minority, including me, it does not, and in fact is flipped, i.e. mornings are optimal, noon frequently marks the beginning of a precipitous decline.

Curiously, many reports I've read from channelopathy patients mirror most pwME in that mornings are worse, and even dangerous.

 

I often feel relatively well for an hour or two in the morning, then gradually worse until about 1500, when I improve again.

I seem to feel grotty after meals.

Some days, usually after a few restful days, I feel relatively well all day.