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

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Status: Completed

Conditions: Heart Rate; Blood Pressure

Treatments: Behavioral: Treadmill testing; Behavioral: Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Monitoring

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT00143988

3255

investigator initiated trial

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

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.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteri

1. Male or female age 40-80

Exclusion Criteria

1. Current sexual partner less than six months duration or sexually inactive patients defined as engaging in sexual intercourse less than one time monthly

2. 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

Trial design

36 participants in 4 patient groups

Treadmill Test exertion females

Treatment:

Behavioral: Treadmill testing

Treadmill test exertion males

Treatment:

Behavioral: Treadmill testing

Sexual activity exertion females

Treatment:

Behavioral: Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Monitoring

Sexual activity exertion males

Treatment:

Behavioral: Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Monitoring