Effects of Age, Sex and Isometric Exercise on Ventricular-Vascular Interactions During Cardiac Unloading

Launched by TRACY BAYNARD · Apr 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how aging and sex affect the communication between the heart and blood vessels when blood pressure drops, a condition known as orthostatic intolerance. As people age, especially women, they may experience dizziness or fainting when standing up because their blood pressure can drop suddenly. The researchers want to see if this communication, or "crosstalk," between the heart and blood vessels becomes worse with age and if hand squeezing can help maintain blood pressure during these situations. Participants will lie down with their legs in a special chamber that simulates low blood pressure, and they will be tested in two different ways: one with just the chamber and another while also squeezing a handgrip.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be either young adults aged 18-35 or older adults aged 65 and above, and they should be in good health without symptoms of dizziness or fainting. They also need to have normal blood pressure and a healthy weight. Throughout the study, participants will complete two separate testing sessions where they will have their heart function and blood pressure monitored. This research aims to better understand how to prevent issues related to sudden drops in blood pressure, which can be especially dangerous for older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• • People aged 18-35 years or aged ≥ 65 years
• • Healthy without symptons of orthostatic intolerance (i.e., nausea, sweating, weakness, visual disturbance)
• • Seated systolic and/or diastolic BP \<140/90 mmHg;
• • Body mass index \<35 kg/m2
• • Recreationally active (≤ 2 days of structured physical activity)
• • Regular menstrual cycles in young females
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • People diagnosed with cardiovascular, diabetes, inflammatory or renal diseases and neurodegenerative-related dementia
• • Tobacco users
• • People prescribed with beta-blockers
• • Pregnant females
• • People unable to fit or get into the lower body negative pressure chamber