Background: Two of the excipients in intravenous formulations of amiodarone, polysorbate 80 and benzyl alcohol, have been shown to cause hypotension. A newer formulation of amiodarone, which contains cyclodextrin, is devoid of these excipients. Objective: To evaluate the change in mean arterial pressure when utilizing 2 intravenous amiodarone formulations. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis conducted at an academic medical center. Patients received intravenous amiodarone containing either polysorbate 80/benzyl alcohol (control) or cyclodextrin (cyclodextrin). Patients received these formulations based on a standard institutional protocol of 1 mg/min for 6 hours, followed by 0.5 mg/min for at least 18 hours or until discontinued by the provider. All data were collected from the medical record and included changes in blood pressures, time to lowest systolic blood pressure, concurrent antihypertensive use, and number of patients requiring treatment for hypotension. Results: A total of 160 patients (120 control, 40 cyclodextrin) were included. There was a statistically significant difference in mean arterial pressure between the groups receiving the control formulation of amiodarone compared with the cyclodextrin formulation across the 24-hour maintenance phase infusion (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between formulations with regard to the change in mean arterial pressure during the 0- to 6-hour and 12- to 18-hour time blocks. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of patients receiving fluid boluses for treatment of hypotension (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The excipients in the formulation of intravenous amiodarone may have a significant role in the hypotensive effects seen throughout the duration the maintenance phase infusion.

Equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is associated with airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction in clinically affected horses. Horses demonstrating severe pulmonary compromise develop concurrent secondary pulmonary hypertension. The development of pulmonary hypertension is well documented in RAO affected horses, however, it is not known how rapidly increases in pulmonary artery pressure occur after the onset of RAO. It is also not known if pulmonary hypertension resolves concurrently with resolution of RAO. The goal of this study was to measure pulmonary artery pressure in RAO affected horses during the development and resolution of RAO. To accomplish this, three RAO affected and three normal horses were placed in a challenge environment where clinical parameters, pulmonary function, right heart and pulmonary artery pressures were measured on day 1, 3 and 5. After evaluating horses on day five, their environment was modified to reduce exposure to respirable debris and anti-inflammatory medication (dexamethasone) was initiated. Identical clinical parameters were measured on days 7 and 9. In our study, the arterial oxygen content in RAO horses was significantly less that that of control horses from day 1 through day 9. A concurrent increase in pulmonary artery pressure also developed on day 3 in RAO affected horses, and persisted through day 5. While some trend towards a difference between groups was noted, no other significant differences were observed between RAO and normal horses. These findings suggest that horses with severe RAO also develop significant increase in pulmonary artery pressure, which rapidly resolves with appropriate management of RAO. / Master of Science

This thesis is missing page 222, the other copies of this thesis are missing the page as well. -Digitization Centre / N/A / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

Trata-se de um estudo descritivo transversal de abordagem quantitativa, realizado entre 90 portadores de HA seguidos no Centro de Saúde de um município do interior paulista, tendo por objetivo avaliar a adesão ao tratamento. Para coleta de dados foram utilizados três instrumentos: um relativo a dados sociodemográficos, da doença e do tratamento; o Teste de Morisky e Green (TMG) para avaliar a adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso e o Insrumento de Avaliar Atitudes Frente à Tomada de Remédios (IAAFTR). Os testes estatísticos foram realizados por meio do software Statistica 8.0 e os resultados foram considerados significativos quando o nível de significância foi (p <0.05). Os sujeitos possuíam idade média de 66+10,4 anos, 62,2% eram do sexo feminino, 86,7% brancos, 66,7% casados, 72,2% aposentados, 57,8% com dois ou mais dependentes, 52,2% residiam com outros membros da família e 91,1% informaram renda familiar entre um e três salários mínimos. As principais comorbidades associadas foram: diabetes mellitus (20%) e hipercolesterolemia (14,4%). Em relação aos hábitos de vida, 71,1% não realizavam atividade física, 12,2% eram tabagistas, 15,6% citaram uso de bebida alcoólica, 72,2% referiram não possuir alteração no padrão de sono, 57,8% se consideraram pessoas estressadas e 74,4% possuíam casos de HAS na família. Considerando o tratamento medicamentoso prescrito, que 13,5% utilizam diuréticos associados com Inibidor da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina (IECA). Quando questionados se pararam de fazer uso de alguma medicação, 21,1% responderam sim, sendo que 35,8% referiram ser devido a efeitos colaterais; dos 36,7% que referiram algum efeito colateral, 36,4% apontaram a epigastralgia como sendo o principal. Houve significância estatística entre efeitos colaterais e adesão avaliada pelo método IAAFTR. Os indivíduos que relataram algum efeito colateral eram menos aderentes. Em relação ao custo das medicações 91,1% relataram não interferir no uso regular, 100% disseram saber da continuidade do tratamento, 86,7% referiram que o número de tomadas não interfere no uso das medicações e 87,8% referiram estar satisfeitos com a medicação. Relação significativa foi encontrada entre o número de tomadas da medicação e satisfação quando relacionados com adesão avaliada pelo método IAAFTR. Os indivíduos que responderam que o número de tomadas de medicação não interferia no seu uso regular e que se consideraram satisfeitos com as medicações prescritas se mostraram mais aderentes. Em relação a auto medicação 21,1% referiram parar de tomar as medicações quando se sentem melhores, 11,1% param quando se sentem piores e 25% tomam maior quantidade quando não sentem bem. Quanto aos dados clínicos avaliados, 20% apresentaram valores de PA maiores ou iguais a 140X90mmHg e 32,2% apresentaram aumento dos valores da PAS isolado; 40% eram obesos; 64,4% apresentaram valores de CC alterados e 51,1% valores da RCQ acima do preconizado. Quando avaliados pelo TMG 72,2% não apresentaram adesão e, dentre esses, 75,4% não apresentaram atitudes positivas quando avaliados pelo IAAFTR, o que demonstrou uma concordância discreta entre os dois métodos. Esses achados podem proporcionar subsídios para a realização de intervenções na assistência aos pacientes com HAS com o objetivo de aumentar as taxas de adesão e qualidade de vida. / This is a cross-sectional study of quantitative approach, carried out among 90 patients with hypertension followed in the health center in a city of São Paulo, aiming to assess adhesion to treatment. For the data collection was used three instruments: one for demographic data, disease and treatment; Morisky and Green Test (TMG) to assess adhesion to medicamental treatment and the Instrument for Assessing Position Towards Making Medicines (IAAFTR). Statistical tests were performed using the software Statistica 8.0 and the results were considered significant when the significance level was (p <0.05). The participants study had a mean age of 66 +10.4 years, 62.2% were female, 86.7% white, 66.7% were married, 72.2% retired, 57.8% with two or more dependents, 52.2% lived with other family members and 91.1% reported family income between one and three minimum wages. The main comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (20%) and hypercholesterolemia (14.4%). About life habits, 71.1% did not perform physical activity, 12.2% were smokers, 15.6% reported use of alcohol, 72.2% reported having no change in sleep patterns, 57.8% people considered themselves stressed and 74.4% had cases of hypertension in the family. Considering the prescribed medicamental treatment and 13.5% used diuretics associated with Inhibitor Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE). When asked if they stopped doing some medication, 21.1% answered yes, while 35.8% reported because of side effects, of which 36.7% reported some side effects, 36.4% identified as the epigastralgia being the principal. Statistical significance was found between side effects and adhesion assessed by the method IAAFTR. Individuals who reported any side effects were less compliant. About the cost medication 91.1% reported not interfere with regular use, 100% said they knew the continuity treatment, 86.7% reported that the number of doses not interfere with the use of medications and 87.8% reported being satisfied with the medication. Significant relation was found between number of medicamental outlets and satisfaction as related adhesion evaluated by IAAFTR. Individuals who responded that the number of doses of medication did not interfere in its regular use and were satisfied with the prescribed medications were more compliant. In relation to 21.1% reported self-medication stop taking the medications when they feel better, 11.1% stop when they feel worse and 25% take much when they do not feel well. To the clinical data assessed, 20% had BP values greater than or equal to 140x90mmHg and 32.2% showed increased values of SBP alone, 40% were overweight, 64.4% had values of 51.1% and CC values changed WHR above recommended levels. When evaluated by TMG 72.2% showed no adhesion, and among these, 75.4% had positive attitudes when evaluated by IAAFTR, which demonstrated a slight agreement between the two methods. These findings may provide allowances for the use of interventions in the care of patients with SAH with the goal of increasing rates of compliance and quality of life.

Trata-se de um estudo descritivo transversal de abordagem quantitativa, realizado entre 90 portadores de HA seguidos no Centro de Saúde de um município do interior paulista, tendo por objetivo avaliar a adesão ao tratamento. Para coleta de dados foram utilizados três instrumentos: um relativo a dados sociodemográficos, da doença e do tratamento; o Teste de Morisky e Green (TMG) para avaliar a adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso e o Insrumento de Avaliar Atitudes Frente à Tomada de Remédios (IAAFTR). Os testes estatísticos foram realizados por meio do software Statistica 8.0 e os resultados foram considerados significativos quando o nível de significância foi (p <0.05). Os sujeitos possuíam idade média de 66+10,4 anos, 62,2% eram do sexo feminino, 86,7% brancos, 66,7% casados, 72,2% aposentados, 57,8% com dois ou mais dependentes, 52,2% residiam com outros membros da família e 91,1% informaram renda familiar entre um e três salários mínimos. As principais comorbidades associadas foram: diabetes mellitus (20%) e hipercolesterolemia (14,4%). Em relação aos hábitos de vida, 71,1% não realizavam atividade física, 12,2% eram tabagistas, 15,6% citaram uso de bebida alcoólica, 72,2% referiram não possuir alteração no padrão de sono, 57,8% se consideraram pessoas estressadas e 74,4% possuíam casos de HAS na família. Considerando o tratamento medicamentoso prescrito, que 13,5% utilizam diuréticos associados com Inibidor da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina (IECA). Quando questionados se pararam de fazer uso de alguma medicação, 21,1% responderam sim, sendo que 35,8% referiram ser devido a efeitos colaterais; dos 36,7% que referiram algum efeito colateral, 36,4% apontaram a epigastralgia como sendo o principal. Houve significância estatística entre efeitos colaterais e adesão avaliada pelo método IAAFTR. Os indivíduos que relataram algum efeito colateral eram menos aderentes. Em relação ao custo das medicações 91,1% relataram não interferir no uso regular, 100% disseram saber da continuidade do tratamento, 86,7% referiram que o número de tomadas não interfere no uso das medicações e 87,8% referiram estar satisfeitos com a medicação. Relação significativa foi encontrada entre o número de tomadas da medicação e satisfação quando relacionados com adesão avaliada pelo método IAAFTR. Os indivíduos que responderam que o número de tomadas de medicação não interferia no seu uso regular e que se consideraram satisfeitos com as medicações prescritas se mostraram mais aderentes. Em relação a auto medicação 21,1% referiram parar de tomar as medicações quando se sentem melhores, 11,1% param quando se sentem piores e 25% tomam maior quantidade quando não sentem bem. Quanto aos dados clínicos avaliados, 20% apresentaram valores de PA maiores ou iguais a 140X90mmHg e 32,2% apresentaram aumento dos valores da PAS isolado; 40% eram obesos; 64,4% apresentaram valores de CC alterados e 51,1% valores da RCQ acima do preconizado. Quando avaliados pelo TMG 72,2% não apresentaram adesão e, dentre esses, 75,4% não apresentaram atitudes positivas quando avaliados pelo IAAFTR, o que demonstrou uma concordância discreta entre os dois métodos. Esses achados podem proporcionar subsídios para a realização de intervenções na assistência aos pacientes com HAS com o objetivo de aumentar as taxas de adesão e qualidade de vida. / This is a cross-sectional study of quantitative approach, carried out among 90 patients with hypertension followed in the health center in a city of São Paulo, aiming to assess adhesion to treatment. For the data collection was used three instruments: one for demographic data, disease and treatment; Morisky and Green Test (TMG) to assess adhesion to medicamental treatment and the Instrument for Assessing Position Towards Making Medicines (IAAFTR). Statistical tests were performed using the software Statistica 8.0 and the results were considered significant when the significance level was (p <0.05). The participants study had a mean age of 66 +10.4 years, 62.2% were female, 86.7% white, 66.7% were married, 72.2% retired, 57.8% with two or more dependents, 52.2% lived with other family members and 91.1% reported family income between one and three minimum wages. The main comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (20%) and hypercholesterolemia (14.4%). About life habits, 71.1% did not perform physical activity, 12.2% were smokers, 15.6% reported use of alcohol, 72.2% reported having no change in sleep patterns, 57.8% people considered themselves stressed and 74.4% had cases of hypertension in the family. Considering the prescribed medicamental treatment and 13.5% used diuretics associated with Inhibitor Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE). When asked if they stopped doing some medication, 21.1% answered yes, while 35.8% reported because of side effects, of which 36.7% reported some side effects, 36.4% identified as the epigastralgia being the principal. Statistical significance was found between side effects and adhesion assessed by the method IAAFTR. Individuals who reported any side effects were less compliant. About the cost medication 91.1% reported not interfere with regular use, 100% said they knew the continuity treatment, 86.7% reported that the number of doses not interfere with the use of medications and 87.8% reported being satisfied with the medication. Significant relation was found between number of medicamental outlets and satisfaction as related adhesion evaluated by IAAFTR. Individuals who responded that the number of doses of medication did not interfere in its regular use and were satisfied with the prescribed medications were more compliant. In relation to 21.1% reported self-medication stop taking the medications when they feel better, 11.1% stop when they feel worse and 25% take much when they do not feel well. To the clinical data assessed, 20% had BP values greater than or equal to 140x90mmHg and 32.2% showed increased values of SBP alone, 40% were overweight, 64.4% had values of 51.1% and CC values changed WHR above recommended levels. When evaluated by TMG 72.2% showed no adhesion, and among these, 75.4% had positive attitudes when evaluated by IAAFTR, which demonstrated a slight agreement between the two methods. These findings may provide allowances for the use of interventions in the care of patients with SAH with the goal of increasing rates of compliance and quality of life.

Hipertensão do avental branco significa uma elevação persistente da pressão arterial no consultório médico ou clínica, com pressão normal em quaisquer outras circunstâncias. Existem diversos questionamentos a respeito da origem, significado clínico, prognóstico e tratamento desta manifestação. Em relação à etiologia, nossa hipótese é que uma alteração endotelial, resultando em deficiência na produção ou utilização de óxido nítrico endógeno, constitua um fator primário para a ocorrência da hipertensão do avental branco. Este estudo, desenvolvido entre moradores do município de Dumont - São Paulo, Brasil, teve como objetivos caracterizar os participantes em relação a fatores demográficos, alterações fisiológicas e metabólicas para posteriormente identificar e comparar os níveis plasmáticos de nitrato - produto da degradação do óxido nítrico ? entre os sujeitos da pesquisa. De uma amostra de 441 voluntários, selecionamos 109 indivíduos, que foram divididos em três grupos: normotensão (no=58), hipertensão essencial (no=33) e hipertensão do avental branco (no=18), após medidas de pressão arterial com aparelho oscilométrico e exame de Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial. Realizamos entrevista, mensuração de dados e coleta de exames laboratoriais para comparação das variáveis encontradas entre os grupos. Para o tratamento estatístico, foram utilizados os testes ANOVA e Tukey. Os resultados foram expressos como médias ± erros padrões das médias. As diferenças foram consideradas estatisticamente significativas para p<0,05. A prevalência de hipertensão do avental branco foi de 34,1%, com predominância do sexo feminino (83,3%), média de idade de 45,28 anos, sendo a maioria natural do Estado de São Paulo (66,7%), de cor branca (88,9%), alfabetizada (33,3%), casada (72,2%), com histórico familiar para doenças cardiovasculares (72,2%). A análise da quantificação de nitrato plasmático apontou diferença significativa entre os grupos hipertensão do avental branco e normotensão em comparação aos hipertensos, com elevação dos níveis de nitrato sérico em portadores de hipertensão essencial. Também encontramos diferença estatisticamente significativa para índice de massa corporal, relação cintura/quadril, glicemia e creatinina plasmáticas, na comparação entre hipertensos do avental branco e normotensos. As distinções observadas entre os grupos e a presença de variações clínicas, demográficas e bioquímicas possibilitam inferir que a hipertensão do avental branco é uma condição que deve ser analisada de maneira distinta em relação a indivíduos normotensos e portadores de hipertensão essencial. / The white coat hypertension is understood as a persistent increase in arterial pressure in the medical office or clinic, while normal blood pressure is observed in any other circumstances. There are several issues regarding the origin, clinical meaning, prognosis and treatment of this condition. Concerning the etiology, our hypothesis is that an endothelial alteration, leading to deficiency either in the production or utilization of endogenous nitric oxide, may constitute a primary factor for the occurrence of white coat hypertension. This study, developed with the population of the city of Dumont São Paulo, Brazil, aims to characterize the participants in relation to demographical factors and metabolic and physiological changes to afterwards identify and compare plasma levels of nitrate product of nitric oxide degradation among the researchs subjects. We selected 109 individuals, from a sample of 441, who were divided in three groups: normotensive (n=58), essential hypertension (n=33) and white coat hypertension (n=18), following arterial pressure measures with oscilometric device and Arterial Pressure Monitoring Exam. Interviews, data measures and laboratory exams were accomplished as to enable the comparison of the variables found between groups. For the statistical treatment, ANOVA and Tukeys test were used. Results were expressed in terms of means ± means standard deviations. The significance level adopted was p<0,05. White coat hypertension prevalence was of 34,1% with predominance of the feminine gender (83,3%), mean age 45,28, most of the participants original from the state of São Paulo (66,7%), white (88,9%), alphabetized (33,3%), married (72,2%) and with family history of cardiovascular diseases (72,2%). Quantification of plasma nitrate showed significant difference between the white coat hypertension group and the normotensive group in comparison to hypertensive patients, with increased levels of serum nitrate in essential hypertension patients. We also found statistically significant difference for corporal mass index, hip/waist ratio, plasma glucose and creatinine, in the comparison between white coat hypertensive and normotensive patients. The distinctions observed between groups and the presence of clinical, demographical and biochemical variations allow us to suggest that the white coat hypertension is a condition which must be analyzed in a distinct way in relation to normotensive and essential hypertension patients.

Hipertensão do avental branco significa uma elevação persistente da pressão arterial no consultório médico ou clínica, com pressão normal em quaisquer outras circunstâncias. Existem diversos questionamentos a respeito da origem, significado clínico, prognóstico e tratamento desta manifestação. Em relação à etiologia, nossa hipótese é que uma alteração endotelial, resultando em deficiência na produção ou utilização de óxido nítrico endógeno, constitua um fator primário para a ocorrência da hipertensão do avental branco. Este estudo, desenvolvido entre moradores do município de Dumont - São Paulo, Brasil, teve como objetivos caracterizar os participantes em relação a fatores demográficos, alterações fisiológicas e metabólicas para posteriormente identificar e comparar os níveis plasmáticos de nitrato - produto da degradação do óxido nítrico ? entre os sujeitos da pesquisa. De uma amostra de 441 voluntários, selecionamos 109 indivíduos, que foram divididos em três grupos: normotensão (no=58), hipertensão essencial (no=33) e hipertensão do avental branco (no=18), após medidas de pressão arterial com aparelho oscilométrico e exame de Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial. Realizamos entrevista, mensuração de dados e coleta de exames laboratoriais para comparação das variáveis encontradas entre os grupos. Para o tratamento estatístico, foram utilizados os testes ANOVA e Tukey. Os resultados foram expressos como médias ± erros padrões das médias. As diferenças foram consideradas estatisticamente significativas para p<0,05. A prevalência de hipertensão do avental branco foi de 34,1%, com predominância do sexo feminino (83,3%), média de idade de 45,28 anos, sendo a maioria natural do Estado de São Paulo (66,7%), de cor branca (88,9%), alfabetizada (33,3%), casada (72,2%), com histórico familiar para doenças cardiovasculares (72,2%). A análise da quantificação de nitrato plasmático apontou diferença significativa entre os grupos hipertensão do avental branco e normotensão em comparação aos hipertensos, com elevação dos níveis de nitrato sérico em portadores de hipertensão essencial. Também encontramos diferença estatisticamente significativa para índice de massa corporal, relação cintura/quadril, glicemia e creatinina plasmáticas, na comparação entre hipertensos do avental branco e normotensos. As distinções observadas entre os grupos e a presença de variações clínicas, demográficas e bioquímicas possibilitam inferir que a hipertensão do avental branco é uma condição que deve ser analisada de maneira distinta em relação a indivíduos normotensos e portadores de hipertensão essencial. / The white coat hypertension is understood as a persistent increase in arterial pressure in the medical office or clinic, while normal blood pressure is observed in any other circumstances. There are several issues regarding the origin, clinical meaning, prognosis and treatment of this condition. Concerning the etiology, our hypothesis is that an endothelial alteration, leading to deficiency either in the production or utilization of endogenous nitric oxide, may constitute a primary factor for the occurrence of white coat hypertension. This study, developed with the population of the city of Dumont São Paulo, Brazil, aims to characterize the participants in relation to demographical factors and metabolic and physiological changes to afterwards identify and compare plasma levels of nitrate product of nitric oxide degradation among the researchs subjects. We selected 109 individuals, from a sample of 441, who were divided in three groups: normotensive (n=58), essential hypertension (n=33) and white coat hypertension (n=18), following arterial pressure measures with oscilometric device and Arterial Pressure Monitoring Exam. Interviews, data measures and laboratory exams were accomplished as to enable the comparison of the variables found between groups. For the statistical treatment, ANOVA and Tukeys test were used. Results were expressed in terms of means ± means standard deviations. The significance level adopted was p<0,05. White coat hypertension prevalence was of 34,1% with predominance of the feminine gender (83,3%), mean age 45,28, most of the participants original from the state of São Paulo (66,7%), white (88,9%), alphabetized (33,3%), married (72,2%) and with family history of cardiovascular diseases (72,2%). Quantification of plasma nitrate showed significant difference between the white coat hypertension group and the normotensive group in comparison to hypertensive patients, with increased levels of serum nitrate in essential hypertension patients. We also found statistically significant difference for corporal mass index, hip/waist ratio, plasma glucose and creatinine, in the comparison between white coat hypertensive and normotensive patients. The distinctions observed between groups and the presence of clinical, demographical and biochemical variations allow us to suggest that the white coat hypertension is a condition which must be analyzed in a distinct way in relation to normotensive and essential hypertension patients.

Orientador: André Fattori / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T03:54:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Santimaria_MarianaReis_M.pdf: 28450698 bytes, checksum: 2e1055cfe2400d22b7a31841a19cfc4b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: O resumo poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital / Abstract: The abstract is available with the full electronic document / Mestrado / Gerontologia / Mestra em Gerontologia

Blood pressure measurement has been and continues to be one of the most important measurements in clinical practice and yet, it remains one of the most inaccurately performed. The use of oscillometric blood pressure measurement monitors has become common in hospitals, clinics and even homes. Typically, these monitors assume that the heartbeat rate remains stable, which is contrary to what happens in atrial fibrillation. In this thesis, a new method that provides a more precise estimate of Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) is proposed using anon-invasive oscillometric blood pressure monitor. The proposed method is based on calculating a ratio of peak amplitude to trough amplitude for every pulse, then identifying where the ratio first reaches a value of 2. The performance of the proposed method is assessed by comparing the accuracy and variability of the readings against reference monitors -first in healthy subjects, then in atrial fibrillation patients. In healthy subjects and in atrial fibrillation patients, the proposed method achieved a performance accuracy that is well within the ANSI/AAMI SP10 protocol requirements of the reference monitors. The presence of atrial fibrillation diminished the performance of the reference monitor by increasing the variability of the reference readings. The proposed algorithm, on the other hand, performed better by achieving substantially lower variability in the readings than the reference device.

<p> Recent evidence has demonstrated that isometric handgrip training may improve resting arterial blood pressure. The current study evaluated the ability of simple, spring handgrips to reduce resting arterial blood pressure in normotensive participants using an 8-week randomized controlled design.</p> <p> Forty-nine (age: 66 ± 1) participants, 28 female and 21 males were recruited. All participants completed 5 pre-training sessions, used to familiarize and assess baseline blood pressure, heart rate and maximal hand strength. Maximal hand strength was assessed by three bilateral, maximal contractions with a hand dynamometer. Blood pressure and heart rate were assessed with an automated acquisition system. Participants were stratified to control and intervention groups based on baseline age and blood pressure by matched-pair randomization.</p> <p> Participants in the training condition (n = 25) completed 8 weeks of thrice weekly handgrip training at approximately 30% of their baseline maximal hand strength using a spring handgrip. Seated blood pressure and heart rate were assessed prior to each training session following 10 minutes of isolated rest. Training included 4, 2-minute contractions separated by 2 minutes of rest and completed bilaterally. Control participants (n = 24) completed weekly-seated measurements of blood pressure and heart rate following 10 minutes of isolated rest. Following 8 weeks of intervention all participants completed 3 sessions of post-training measurements.</p> <p> In trained participants, resting systolic and diastolic pressure decreased significantly from pre- to post- (SBP: 122 ± 3 mmHg to 112 ± 3 mmHg, DBP: 70 ± 1 mmHg to 67 ± 1 mmHg) while heart rate remained unaltered. Pulse pressure was significantly reduced with handgrip training, from 52 ± 3 mmHg to 45 ± 3 mmHg. Control participants demonstrated no changes in blood pressure, heart rate and pulse pressure, over the course of the study.</p> <p> In conclusion, spring handgrip training results in significant decreases in systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure. The mechanisms behind these improvements remain unknown and require further investigation.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)