Physical Activity, Air Pollution, and High Blood Pressure

University of British Columbia21 enrolled

Overview

The investigators are investigating the effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on the cardiovascular and pulmonary response to exercise in patients with hypertension using a real world randomized, crossover study design. Participants will be exposed to 2 conditions: a low TRAP environment and a high TRAP environment. Each exposure will consist of 30 min of moderate-intensity exercise. Cardiovascular and pulmonary health outcomes will be measured before, during, and up to 24 hours following exposures. A minimum washout period of 1 week will be used to minimize carryover effects.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Essential Hypertension

Interventions

ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in moderate-intensity (40-59% HRR) exercise for 30 min

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 40 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age between 40-70 years of age 2. Previously diagnosed with elevated blood pressure or hypertension by a physician Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current or ex-smokers (abstinent for less than one year) 2. Lives with an individual who currently smokes cigarettes, e-cigarettes (i.e., vaping), or cannabis 3. Hormone replacement therapy use 4. Currently on beta-blocker or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy 5. Currently using over the counter drugs or supplements that may alter cardiovascular measures (as per the principal investigator's discretion) 6. Prior diagnosis of any other existing cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases and/or conditions (other than hypertension) 7. Musculoskeletal injury or lower limb limitation preventing safe engagement in moderate-intensity exercise

Locations (1)

University of British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from Baseline Blood Pressure at 2 Hours Post-Exposure

MAP, SBP, and DBP

Time frame: Baseline and 2 hours post-exposure

Secondary Outcomes

24-Hour Blood Pressure

MAP, SBP, and DBP

Time frame: 24 hours post-exposure

Heart Rate Variability

Indices of heart rate variability

Time frame: Baseline and up to 24 hours post-exposure

Change from Baseline Arterial Stiffness at 2 Hours Post-Exposure

Pulse wave velocity and augmentation index

Time frame: Baseline and 2 hours post-exposure

Change from Baseline Microvascular Responsiveness at 2 Hours Post-Exposure

Microvascular responsiveness (measured by near-infrared spectroscopy)

Time frame: Baseline and 2 hours post-exposure

Muscle Oxygen Saturation

Muscle oxygen saturation (measured by near-infrared spectroscopy)

Time frame: Continuously throughout the 30 minute exercise bouts (during exposure)

Change from Baseline FEV1 and FVC at 2 Hours Post-Exposure

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) measured by spirometry (in L)

Time frame: Baseline and 2 hours post-exposure

Change from Baseline FEV1/FVC at 2 Hours Post-Exposure

FEV1/FVC ratio measured by spirometry

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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