A Biobehavioral Approach to Understand the Multilevel Determinants of Cardiovascular Health in Black Women
The University of Texas at Arlington
Summary
This pilot study uses a state-of-the-science combination of remote behavioral monitoring, real-time experience sampling, in-lab physiological assessments, and extraction of neighborhood-level characteristics to (1) Examine the impact of daily experience (i.e., racial discrimination, affective states, stress) on health behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep) at the intrapersonal level among Black women; (2) Test the association between daily behaviors and impairments in biomarkers associated with vascular function/health (i.e., augmented systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, impaired peripheral/cerebral vascular function, increased large artery stiffness), as well as the impact of daily experience on the relationship between behaviors and vascular function; and (3) Explore the influence of neighborhood-level characteristics (i.e., social environment factors: i.e., neighborhood income and poverty, racial composition; and built environment context, such as park density and walkability) on daily experience and health behaviors.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–49 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * born and identified as female; * between 18-49 years old; * self-identify as Black or African American; * not currently pregnant; * ownership of a smartphone with Internet access; * able to speak and read English Exclusion Criteria: * diagnosed hypertension, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and/or neurological disorders; * functional limitations or health issues that preclude physical activity; * currently taking medications for thyroid function or psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders; * current use of oral or inhalant cortico…
Interventions
- BehavioralObservational Group
All participants will go through a series of lab-based assessments to evaluate their vascular health. These assessments include: heart rhythm/rate, blood pressure, large blood vessel flow, central aortic blood pressure and pulse wave velocity, brain blood flow, carbon dioxide concentration, flow mediated dilation/blood vessel responsiveness, breathing rate, and cerebral vasomotor reactivity. In addition, venous blood sample will be taken to identify biomarkers that are associated with elevating blood pressure and decreasing blood flow. The 10-day monitoring period includes a wrist-worn activity tracker and a blood pressure monitor bracelet; a smartphone app that will prompt surveys up to 6 times a day to assess behaviors, social/physical context, mood/stress, and experience of racial discrimination/microaggression. Participants will also collect saliva samples on three consecutive days during the 10-day monitoring period.
Location
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, Texas