Heat Therapy Versus Exercise Training in Hypertension

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a clinical trial to determine whether 30 sessions of heat therapy in the form of hot water immersion is better than 30 sessions of traditional aerobic exercise training on blood pressure reduction in people with elevated or Stage 1 hypertension.

Detailed Description
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Hypertension accounts for more cardiovascular disease related deaths than any other modifiable risk factor. While exercise training can be effective at reducing blood pressure in some individuals, many people do not respond to exercise training, and many more are unwilling to undergo regular exercise training. Alternative options need to be explored. This is a clinical trial to determine whether 30 sessions of heat therapy in the form of hot water immersion is better than 30 sessions of traditional aerobic exercise training on blood pressure reduction in people with elevated blood pressure (hypertension). The investigators will evaluate known biomarkers of cardiovascular health. It is hypothesized that heat therapy will be superior to exercise training on blood pressure reduction.

Official Title
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Heat Therapy Versus Exercise Training in Hypertension

Conditions
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Hypertension, Cardiovascular Diseases, Arterial Hypertension

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Heat Therapy Group
* Other: Aerobic Exercise Group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Systolic Blood Pressure 120 mmHg or greater and less than 180 mmHg or Diastolic Blood Pressure of 80mmHg or greater and less than 120mmHg Exclusion Criteria: Secondary hypertension; diagnosed cardiovascular disease other than hypertension; taking anti-hypertensive drugs; BMI of 35 or greater; fasting glucose greater than 125 mg/dl; women who are pregnant, nursing, or desiring to become pregnant.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 35 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized parallel study design
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Heat Therapy Group<br>Group will undergo 30 sessions of heat therapy over approximately 10 weeks. Sessions will require subjects to be immersed in hot water for up to 45 minutes per session. | Other: Heat Therapy Group<br>* 30 sessions of immersion in 40.5 degree celsius water for 45 minutes per session<br>|
| Experimental: Aerobic Exercise Group<br>Group will undergo 30 sessions of aerobic exercise training over approximately 10 weeks. Sessions will require subjects to exercise on a cycle ergometer for up to 45 minutes per session. | Other: Aerobic Exercise Group<br>* 30 sessions of aerobic exercise training for 45 minutes at 60% of VO2peak<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blood Pressure Reduction | A reduction in blood pressure following 30 sessions of intervention | 10 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Arterial Stiffness | A reduction in arterial pulse wave velocity | 10 weeks | 
| Sympathetic Outflow | A reduction in muscle sympathetic outflow | 10 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Stage 1 hypertension, Arterial Stiffness