Abstract
Exercise improves peripheral vascular function in healthy and diseased populations; this is partly attributed to the exposure of the endothelium to transient, repetitive increases in blood flow and antegrade shear stress [1]. Traditional exercise poses significant barriers for patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), as the condition manifests as debilitating walking-induced muscle pain (claudication) caused by obstruction to blood flow. PAD patients represent a large cohort who might therefore benefit from an alternative approach to exercise. Local limb heating in young, healthy adults has been shown to induce blood flow patterns indicative of promoting beneficial adaptations in peripheral arteries [2-4]. Additionally, preliminary evidence exists demonstrating sauna therapy improves symptoms and clinical indices in PAD [5]. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute vascular and cardiovascular responses to heat by lower limb hot-water immersion in patients with PAD and in healthy, elderly controls.
Highlights
Exercise improves peripheral vascular function in healthy and diseased populations; this is partly attributed to the exposure of the endothelium to transient, repetitive increases in blood flow and antegrade shear stress [1]
At 30 min after immersion, shear rate remained elevated above baseline levels, not significantly so for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) (PAD: +25 ± 33 s-1, p = 0.09 vs. baseline, controls: +15 ± 14 s-1, p = 0.01)
Retrograde shear was absent in PAD throughout but significantly decreased during immersion in controls
Summary
Exercise improves peripheral vascular function in healthy and diseased populations; this is partly attributed to the exposure of the endothelium to transient, repetitive increases in blood flow and antegrade shear stress [1]. Traditional exercise poses significant barriers for patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), as the condition manifests as debilitating walking-induced muscle pain (claudication) caused by obstruction to blood flow. Local limb heating in young, healthy adults has been shown to induce blood flow patterns indicative of promoting beneficial adaptations in peripheral arteries [2,3,4]. Preliminary evidence exists demonstrating sauna therapy improves symptoms and clinical indices in PAD [5]. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute vascular and cardiovascular responses to heat by lower limb hot-water immersion in patients with PAD and in healthy, elderly controls
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