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The Effects of Dietary Salt on Post-exercise Hypotension

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Blood Pressure
Post-Exercise Hypotension
Interventions
Other: Placebo
Other: High dietary salt
Registration Number
NCT03565653
Lead Sponsor
University of Delaware
Brief Summary

The new American Heart Association (AHA) blood pressure guidelines are expected to raise the prevalence of high blood pressure to \~46% in the United States. One recommendation for lowering blood pressure is aerobic exercise, which produces a period of lowered blood pressure (post-exercise hypotension; PEH) that lasts up to 24 hours. It is believed that PEH may be responsible for the observations of lowered blood pressure following initiation of exercise. However, most Americans eat too much salt, which expands plasma volume and may prevent PEH, rending aerobic exercise ineffective in improving blood pressure status.

Detailed Description

Recently released blood pressure guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology are expected to raise the prevalence of hypertension in America from \~33% to \~46%. A single bout of aerobic exercise produces a prolonged period (up to 24 hours) of lowered blood pressure (post-exercise hypotension; PEH). Repeated bouts of aerobic exercise results in maintenance of lowered blood pressure, leading to recommendations of aerobic exercise for improvement of blood pressure status. However, more than 90% of Americans consume more sodium in their diets than is recommended. This is alarming, as excess dietary sodium intake expands plasma fluid volume, which may in turn attenuate the reduction in BP following exercise. Therefore, the objective of this project is to determine the effects of high dietary sodium intake on PEH. The investigators hypothesize that, compared to a recommended sodium diet, a high salt diet will attenuate post-exercise hypotension.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • Recreationally active
Exclusion Criteria
  • high blood pressure (>140/90 mmHg)
  • history of cardiovascular disease
  • history of cancer
  • history of diabetes
  • history of kidney disease
  • obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2)
  • smoking or tobacco use
  • current pregnancy
  • nursing mothers
  • communication barriers

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboFor 10 days each, participants will be asked to eat a recommended sodium diets (2300 mg Na+/d) while taking unmarked pills containing a placebo (dextrose). Participants will complete both interventions in random order. On the 10th day, participants will report to the lab to complete 60 minutes of cycling exercise. Following exercise, participants will rest for 60 minutes while undergoing serial blood pressure measurements. Participants will then be outfitted with ambulatory blood pressure cuffs for assessment of blood pressure over the following 24 hours.
High dietary saltHigh dietary saltFor 10 days each, participants will be asked to eat a recommended sodium diets (2300 mg Na+/d) while taking unmarked pills containing uniodized table salt. On the 10th day, participants will report to the lab to complete 60 minutes of cycling exercise. Following exercise, participants will rest for 60 minutes while undergoing serial blood pressure measurements. Participants will then be outfitted with ambulatory blood pressure cuffs for assessment of blood pressure over the following 24 hours.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Post-exercise hypotension24 hours following exercise

Change in mean arterial pressure from pre- to post-exercise

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Blood pressure reactivity10th day of high salt diet

Change in mean, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure from baseline to exercise

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware

🇺🇸

Newark, Delaware, United States

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