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Cold air breathing during isometric handgrip: effect of healthy aging on coronary blood flow
Author(s) -
Muller Matthew David,
Gao Zhaohui,
Mast Jessica,
Blaha Cheryl,
Drew Rachel C,
Leuenberger Urs A.,
Sinoway Lawrence I.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1079.17
Subject(s) - isometric exercise , medicine , cardiology , blood pressure , blood flow , heart rate , hand strength , angina , grip strength , physical therapy , myocardial infarction
Cold air inhalation and isometric exertion both trigger symptoms of angina, but the underlying causes are unknown. The current echocardiography‐based study sought to determine the effect of healthy aging on coronary blood flow velocity during a combined handgrip and cold air inhalation protocol (COLD+GRIP). Fifteen young (25±1 years) and eleven older (63±1 years) healthy subjects underwent a 2‐minute bout of isometric handgrip (30% MVC) while inspiring cold air (−15°C) through a custom system. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure coronary blood flow velocity in the LAD artery. Finometer‐derived mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), air temperature, and grip workload were monitored continuously. Unpaired t‐tests were used to assess group differences. Height, weight, BMI, grip workload, and resting HR were not different between groups. The change in HR during COLD+GRIP was significantly blunted in the older subjects (Δ=7±2 bpm) compared to younger subjects (Δ=20±3 bpm) while the change in MAP was not different between groups (OLD Δ=23±3 vs. YOUNG Δ=24±2 mmHg). The change in coronary blood flow velocity was also not different between groups (OLD Δ=5.3±1.1 vs. YOUNG Δ=6.8±2.1 cm/sec). In conclusion, healthy aging blunts the HR response to COLD+GRIP, which may act to prevent ischemia. This study supported by Wilderness Medical Society Grant (MDM), P01 HL096570 (LIS) and UL1 RR033184 (LIS)