Effects of Heating on Exercise Pressor Reflex in Peripheral Artery Disease: Exercise Ability

Launched by MILTON S. HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER · Apr 1, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating how heat exposure affects exercise responses in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Specifically, the researchers want to understand if being in a warm environment changes how the body responds to exercise, particularly focusing on blood pressure and the nervous system's activity. They hope to find out if heat makes these responses weaker, which could help improve exercise ability for those with PAD.

To participate in this study, you need to be between 21 and 85 years old, able to communicate in English, and have PAD, which is diagnosed through specific tests showing reduced blood flow. If you're healthy and meet similar age and language criteria, you can also join. Participants will undergo physical exams and should expect to engage in exercises while being monitored in a controlled environment. It's important to note that certain health conditions or being pregnant may exclude someone from the trial. This research could provide valuable insights into better managing exercise for people with PAD.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • All subjects
• • Capable of giving informed consent
• • Any race or ethnicity
• • Men and women age 21- 85 years (inclusive)
• • Fluent in written and spoken English
• • Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
• • Diagnosed with PAD (i.e., ankle-brachial index below 0.9)
• • Fontaine stage II or less - no pain while resting
• • Satisfactory history and physical exam
• • Healthy subjects
• • Satisfactory history and physical examination
• • Free of acute medical conditions
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • For patients with PAD and Healthy subjects
• • Age \< 21 years
• • Pregnant or nursing women
• • Decisional impairment
• • Prisoners
• • For patients with PAD
• • History of CAD with symptoms of unstable angina or myocardial infarction (\<6 months)
• • History of epilepsy or seizure disorders
• • For healthy subjects
• • • Any other chronic diseases (heart, lung, neuromuscular disease or diabetes)