Home-based heat therapy lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function in older adults
Ysabella Ruiz-Pick, Heidi L. Cope, Rauchelle E. Richey, Amy M. Moore, Tyson C. Garfield, Albert H. Olivencia‐Yurvati, Steven A. Romero
Abstract
Advancing age is associated with vascular dysfunction and hypertension, both of which increase cardiovascular event risk. This study determined that 8 wk of home-based lower body heat therapy reduced ambulatory daytime systolic blood pressure and increased flow-mediated dilation of the superficial femoral artery, outcomes not observed in the sham group. These improvements, coupled with 100% adherence among participants, suggest that home-based heat therapy is a pragmatic and effective strategy for improving cardiovascular health in older adults.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineBlood pressureAmbulatory blood pressureVasodilationAmbulatoryCardiologyBlood flowInternal medicineEndothelial dysfunctionPhysical therapyAnesthesiaThermoregulation and physiological responsesInfrared Thermography in MedicineExercise and Physiological Responses