Current Projects

The influence of Habitual Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Cardiovascular Responses to Dietary Salt

There is some data in rodents to suggest that high dietary salt augments cardiovascular responses during exercise after high-salt feeding. High physical activity and fitness are known to be protective for future CVD risk, but it is unknown if it also protects the body from high salt-induced increases in cardiovascular reactivity. Therefore, we are looking at whether physical activity and/or fitness protect the cardiovascular system from high-salt induced exaggerations in cardiovascular responses to exercise.

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Reactivity to Acute Dietary Sodium – PI: Kamila U. Migdal

Americans eat too much salt. This is important because consuming a high salt diet is associated with a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes. An exaggerated increase in blood pressure during exercise and a decrease in brain blood flow reactivity at rest are also risks of heart attacks and strokes, but the effect of a single high salt meal on these measures has not yet been determined. Therefore, the purpose of this research study is to assess how a high- vs a low-salt meal will increase blood pressure during dynamic exercise or how it will alter brain blood vessel function at rest.

Blood Pressure Control During Mild Dehydration, and the Effect of Aging – PI: Joseph C. Watso

Older adults are at an increased risk for dehydration and adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore, we are studying the effect of mild dehydration on blood pressure control at rest and during exercise in both healthy young and older adults.

The Effects of Dietary Salt on Blood Pressure Responses to Acute Aerobic Exercise – PI: Matthew B. Babcock

This project is designed to examine how dietary salt intake affects blood pressure responses to aerobic exercise. Normally, blood pressure increases during aerobic exercise and is reduced (compared to pre-exercise levels) following exercise. We have reason to believe that high dietary salt intake will cause inappropriate increases in blood pressure during exercise and will prevent reductions in blood pressure after exercise; both of which increase cardiovascular disease risk.