# Vascular regulation in postmenopausal females

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2022 · $74,302

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The goal of the proposed study is to elucidate mechanisms contributing to the heightened risk of
cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hypertension (HTN) in early-menopausal compared to typical-age-
menopausal females. The risks of CVD and HTN increase steeply after menopause, but females who complete
menopause early (< age 46 yrs.) are more likely to experience HTN and CVD-related morbidity and mortality
than those who complete menopause at a typical age (~ 51 yrs.) Furthermore, sympathetic increases in
females after menopause, and higher sympathetic drive is associated with cardiovascular mortality and HTN.
Postmenopausal females have shown dysregulation in autonomic control of blood pressure (BP), but it is
unknown whether BP dysregulation occurs similarly in early-menopausal and typical-age-menopausal females.
Moreover, altered vascular transduction, whereby an increase in sympathetic activity causes vasoconstriction,
may play a role in the development of HTN. This proposal will investigate sympathetic regulation of blood flow
and blood pressure in early- and typical-age-menopausal females. Additionally, individuals who are racialized
as non-white have higher cardiovascular risks than white people, and this study will explore perceived
discrimination and coping as potential mediators of CVD and HTN in postmenopausal females of diverse
backgrounds. To evaluate vascular regulation, forearm vascular conductance (FVC) and muscle sympathetic
nerve activity (MSNA) will be measured via venous occlusion plethysmography and microneurography,
respectively, in postmenopausal females, ages 50-70 yrs., who completed menopause early or at a typical
age. Conductance and MSNA will be measured at rest (SA1) and during a two-minute cold pressor test (CPT)
of the hand (SA2). Importantly, BP responses to a CPT can predict future HTN, and greater sympathetic
reactivity to a stressor may indicate a higher risk for future CVD. Further, physiological responses and
correlations between discrimination and coping scores will be explored (SA3). The hypotheses are that early-
menopausal females will have lower resting FVC and higher resting MSNA, and larger changes in FVC and
MSNA with CPT, than typical-age-menopausal females; and that higher perceived discrimination and lower
coping ability will be associated with higher sympathetic outflow. Dr. Lee will be trained in techniques of
microneurography and venous occlusion plethysmography and will engage in career development activities,
including grant and scholarship development. In addition, she will be trained in community-engagement
strategies during the fellowship duration. She will receive training from an exemplary team in a research-rich
environment within the Medical School at the University of Minnesota. This proposal aligns with the NHLBI’s
mission, identifying mechanisms contributing to HTN and CVD for development of prevention and treatment
strategies to reduce CVD risk in early-menopausal ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10462980
- **Project number:** 1F32HL160012-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Emma Jean Lee
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $74,302
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-16 → 2024-10-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10462980

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10462980, Vascular regulation in postmenopausal females (1F32HL160012-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10462980. Licensed CC0.

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