The purpose of this study is to assess the cardiovascular responses of the elderly to heat wave conditions
Heat waves are lethal and cause a disproportionate number of deaths in the elderly relative to any other age group. It is important to note that such deaths are primarily cardiovascular, not hyperthermia itself, in origin. Nevertheless, we know relatively little about the effects of aging on cardiovascular function during actual heat wave-like conditions. The central hypothesis of this work is that the elderly exhibit greater cardiovascular stress during heat wave conditions. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that recognized impairments in thermoregulatory capacity in the elderly will culminate in heightened cardiovascular stress during prolonged exposure to heat wave conditions. Comprehensive cardiovascular and thermal responses in the elderly, relative to younger adults, will be evaluated during exposure to two prolonged heat wave conditions: hot and humid (replicating the 1995 Chicago heat wave) and very hot and dry (replicating the 2018 Los Angeles heat wave). The expected outcome from this body of work will re-shape our understanding of the consequences of aging on cardiovascular function during heat waves
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
59
Individuals will be exposed to a simulated heat wave (hot and humid) condition.
Individuals will be exposed to a simulated heat wave (hot and dry) condition.
Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine
Dallas, Texas, United States
Change in Core Body Temperature
Core body temperature will be measured via a telemetric pill or rectal temperature probe.
Time frame: Prior to and after the 3-hour simulated heat wave exposure.
Change in Peak Mitral Annular Systolic Velocity (S')
Change in peak mitral annular systolic velocity was measured by tissue doppler imaging.
Time frame: Prior to, during, and after each simulated heat wave exposure; approximately 20 min each
Ending Skin Temperature
Skin temperature will be measured from small temperature sensitive electrodes attached to the participant's skin.
Time frame: At the end of the 3-hour simulated heat wave exposure.
Ending Heart Rate
Heart rate will be measured via ECG electrodes attached to the participant
Time frame: At the end of the 3-hour simulated heat wave exposure.
Ending Mean Arterial Pressure
Arterial blood pressure will be measured using a standard arm blood pressure cuff.
Time frame: At the end of the 3-hour simulated heat wave exposure.
Change in Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (how much blood is ejected from the heart per minute) was measured using echocardiography.
Time frame: Prior to and after the 3-hour simulated heat wave exposure.
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