Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Response During Exercise and Sexual Activity in Normotensive and Hypertensive Volunteers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the amount of cardiac work as measured by heart rate and blood pressure during physical exertion compared to sexual activity.

Detailed Description
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Physical exertion will be measured by a standardized treadmill test. Sexual activity will be performed in the study subject's home with his/her spouse or regular partner. Each study subject will wear a blood pressure and heart rate monitor at home during their sexual activity and will be asked to complete a one page diary upon completion of the activity. Normotensive and subject with mild hypertension will be studied to determine if hypertensive subjects have a relatively greater increase in their blood pressure during either physical exercise or sexual activity.

Official Title
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Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Response During Exercise and Sexual Activity in Normotensive and Hypertensive Volunteers

Conditions
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Heart Rate, Blood Pressure

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Treadmill testing
* Behavioral: Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Monitoring


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteri 1) Male or female age 40-80 Exclusion Criteria Current sexual partner less than six months duration or sexually inactive patients defined as engaging in sexual intercourse less than one time monthly Uncontrolled hypertension (resting blood pressure >160/100); secondary hypertension; renal failure (serum creatinine >3.0); congestive heart failure (NYHA functional Class III-IV); acute coronary syndrome; PCI or open heart surgery within past 3 months; cerebrovascular disease within the past 6 months and any other major medical or psychiatric disorder. Individuals who regularly (more than 3 times weekly) perform rigorous physical exercise. Individuals unable to perform an exercise treadmill stress test. Lack of informed consent

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 80 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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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Treadmill Test exertion females<br> | Behavioral: Treadmill testing<br>* Patients will have a exercise stress test using a Bruce protocol during which time heart rates and blood pressures will be monitored and the patient's percieved exertion level monitored and recorded<br>* Other names: Quinton treadmill will be used;|
| Treadmill test exertion males<br> | Behavioral: Treadmill testing<br>* Patients will have a exercise stress test using a Bruce protocol during which time heart rates and blood pressures will be monitored and the patient's percieved exertion level monitored and recorded<br>* Other names: Quinton treadmill will be used;|
| Sexual activity exertion females<br> | Behavioral: Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Monitoring<br>* Patients will wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitor and an heart rate monitor during one sexual encounter.<br>* Other names: Polar heart rate monitor;|
| Sexual activity exertion males<br> | Behavioral: Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Monitoring<br>* Patients will wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitor and an heart rate monitor during one sexual encounter.<br>* Other names: Polar heart rate monitor;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| physical stress during exercise |  | during one measured encounter | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Sexual Activity