University of Colorado, Boulder
This study aims to determine the effects of \~12 weeks of repeated hot water immersion ("heat therapy") vs. thermoneutral water immersion on blood pressure and vascular function in late middle-life to older (≥40 years) adults. The study also aims to determine the effects of \~12 weeks of heat therapy on fluid cognitive and cerebrovascular function.
Advancing age is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which remain the leading cause of death in the developed world. The key process that links aging to increased risk of CVD is increases in systolic blood pressure and the development of arterial dysfunction (i.e., impaired endothelial function and arterial stiffening). Passive heat therapy, in the form of repeated use of hot baths and saunas, has been used by several cultures for centuries; however, the physiological benefits are only now being elucidated. For example, recent studies have found that lifelong habitual s…
Inclusion Criteria: * Able to provide informed consent (no clinical diagnosis of dementia or related diseases AND mini mental state exam score \>20). * Willing to accept random assignment to intervention. * Aged 40+ years. * Premenopausal women must not be pregnant (confirmed by urine pregnancy test). * Casual systolic blood pressure 115-159 mmHg. * Sufficiently healthy to undergo heat stress, as determined by the CTRC physician Dr. Wolfe and physician of record Dr. Chonchol based on medical history, physical exam, blood chemistries, and 12-lead ECG at rest and during the graded exercise test…
36 sessions (\~3x per week for 12 weeks) of hot water immersion in 40°C water, sufficient to raise body core temperature to 38.5°C, and 12 weeks of follow-up.
36 sessions (\~3x per week for 12 weeks) of thermoneutral water immersion in 36°C water to prevent changes in body core temperature \>0.2°C, and 12 weeks of follow-up.
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