The purpose of this study is to understand more about why young people who were born prematurely may have increased risk of high blood pressure and lower cardiovascular exercise capacity.
Young adults with a history of preterm birth are identified as having a unique risk profile for developing hypertension and having reduced exercise capacity. Globally, there are 15 million annual preterm births. In Europe, incidence is 6-15% of all births, with up to 6 million adults in the United Kingdom having a preterm birth history. Understanding the associations between early life exposures and this early cardiovascular risk is extremely important to be able to target primary prevention strategies. As yet there are no clear explanations for the reduced exercise capacity and elevated risk of hypertension reported in preterm born young adults. Magnetic resonance imaging studies of young adult born premature demonstrated altered heart shape, with increased left ventricular mass, reduced cavity sizes and reduced stroke volumes. The changes in cardiac size identified from these studies is similar to those seen in other disease groups and has been equated to greater than 50% increased risk of cardiovascular clinical events in these groups. These structural changes may account for the reduced exercise capacity observed in preterm born young adults This study aims to understand the physiological determinants of limited exercise capacity and associated cardiovascular risk profile of adult preterm born populations.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
149
Adam Lewandowski
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Capacity
Peak oxygen uptake measured via cardiopulmonary exercise testing
Time frame: Single measure, baseline study recruitment
Cardiac Structure
Cardiac structure measured via cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Time frame: Single measure, baseline recruitment
Cardiac Function
Cardiac function measured via cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Time frame: Single measure, baseline recruitment
Liver Structure
Hepatic structure measured via magnetic resonance imaging
Time frame: Single measure, baseline recruitment
Brain structure
Brain structure measured via magnetic resonance imaging
Time frame: Second study visit within 6 months of recruitment
Vascular function
Vascular function measured via pulse wave velocity
Time frame: Single measure, baseline recruitment
Dynamic cardiac function
Dynamic cardiac function measured using echocardiogram during exercise
Time frame: Single measure, baseline recruitment
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.