This study evaluated cardiac autonomic reactivity in young healthy male offspring of hypertensive parents (NOHP) at rest and during recovery from submaximal aerobic exercise, compared to offspring of normotensive parents (NONP). 50 subjects aged 18-25 were divided into NOHP and NONP groups. Blood pressure, heart rate, rate pressure product, and heart rate variability frequency domain indices were analyzed at rest, immediately after exercise, and during the 15 minute recovery period. Results showed higher blood pressure after exercise, and increased sympathetic activity and decreased parasympathetic activity in NOHP both at rest and during recovery, indicating impaired cardiac autonomic modulation in NOHP even at rest, which could lead to future hypertension