Reducing Blood Pressure in Mid-life Adult Binge Drinkers: the Role of Microvascular Function and Sympathetic Activity
The University of Texas at Arlington
Summary
This study has two phases: Phase 1 is to examine blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers vs. alcohol abstainers/moderate drinkers. Phase 2 is to examine the effect of 8-week aerobic exercise training on blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers
Description
During phase 1, we will measure blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity (baseline assessment) in mid-life adult binge drinkers, alcohol abstainers, and moderate drinkers. Only mid-life adult binge drinkers will enter Phase 2 and be randomized to the exercise training group and non-exercise control group. After 8 weeks of intervention, we will re-measure blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity (post-intervention assessment) in mid-life adult binge drinkers.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 50–64 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women (50-64 years of age) who do not drink alcohol, who drink at moderate levels, or who binge drink * Female subjects will be postmenopausal (i.e., cessation of menses for ≥1 yr). * Subjects who can speak and understand English. Exclusion Criteria: * a history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver, or renal disease * current or history of smoking and illicit drug use * blood pressure ≥160/100 mm Hg * other known traditional cardiovascular disease risks: obesity (BMI≥35 kg/m2), or hyperlipidemia (total cholesterol\>230 mg/dl and/or LDL cholesterol\>160 mg…
Interventions
- BehavioralExercise Training
Subjects will be asked to perform exercise training (high-intensity interval training) under supervision, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Each training session will last 40 minutes and will consist of 10-minute warm up at 70% of maximal heart rate (HRmax), four 4-minute intervals at 90% of HRmax with 3-min active recovery at 70% of HRmax and 5-minute cool down at 70% of HRmax.
- BehavioralAlcohol Abstinence Intervention
Subjects will be asked to abstain from alcohol for 8 weeks. Education materials and bi-weekly consultations will be provided.
Location
- University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, Texas