# Sympathetic Vascular Regulation following Heat Stress in Young and Aged Humans

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF OREGON · 2022 · $41,296

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the developed world. As age is
a major risk factor for CVD and the average lifespan of humans is increasing, CVD is projected to
reach unprecedented levels and place an enormous burden on the healthcare system. While these
demographic shifts are inevitable, the development of CVD is preventable. As high blood pressure
accounts for more CVD deaths than any other modifiable risk factor, interventions aimed at the
management of blood pressure are crucial in preventing these sobering CVD projections from
becoming reality. Heat therapy, in the form of hot bath and sauna, is an ancient practice that has
recently gained attention in the treatment and prevention of CVD as regular sauna use is associated
with a reduced risk of all-cause CVD deaths. Like exercise, many of the chronic benefits of heat
therapy are likely mediated during the recovery period. For example, a single bout of exercise
promotes a sustained reduction in blood pressure, termed post-exercise hypotension, which
transiently lowers elevated blood pressure into normotensive ranges and potentiates beneficial
cardiovascular adaptation with exercise training. Similarly, we and others have demonstrated a
sustained reduction in blood pressure following a single bout of heat stress in both healthy and
patient populations. However, the neurovascular mechanisms which underlie this post-heating
hypotensive window of opportunity are unknown, representing a critical gap in knowledge. Therefore,
we aim to explore post-heating hypotension, baroreflex control, and sympathetic vascular
transduction in young and aged humans following whole-body heat stress. We hypothesize that
post-heating hypotension is supported by downward and leftward baroreflex resetting in the absence
of altered sympathetic vascular transduction in both young and aged adults. Additionally, we
hypothesize that the magnitude of this blood pressure reduction and baroreflex resetting is
exaggerated among aged adults. Overall, this work improves our understanding of the adaptive role
of heat stress and advances heat therapy as a therapeutic option for the management of blood
pressure and prevention of CVD. As the candidate, Ms. Larson completes the proposed research at
the University of Oregon alongside her experienced co-mentors, Drs. Minson and Halliwill, she will
gain clinical trial research experience, learn “gold-standard” technical laboratory skills, and continue
to develop as an effective science communicator, educator, and mentor. As such, the proposed
project will serve as an essential installment toward Ms. Larson’s larger career goal to obtain a post-
doctoral research position and eventual faculty position at a major research university.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10540304
- **Project number:** 5F31HL158087-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
- **Principal Investigator:** Emily A Larson
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $41,296
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-06-16 → 2023-07-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10540304

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10540304, Sympathetic Vascular Regulation following Heat Stress in Young and Aged Humans (5F31HL158087-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10540304. Licensed CC0.

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