Advancing age is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which remain the leading cause of death in the developed world. The key process that links aging to increased risk of CVD is increases in systolic blood pressure and the development of arterial dysfunction (i.e., impaired endothelial function and arterial stiffening).~Passive heat therapy, in the form of repeated use of hot baths and saunas, has been used by several cultures for centuries; however, the physiological benefits are only now being elucidated. For example, recent studies have found that lifelong habitual sauna use is associated with considerably reduced risk of all-cause mortality, sudden cardiac death, CVD-related death. In addition, 8-10 weeks of hot water immersion in young adults has been shown to improve endothelial function and reduces arterial stiffness and blood pressure. Therefore, the investigators expect heat therapy to similarly improve blood pressure and vascular function in middle-life and older adults who are at greater risk of CVD.
This study aims to determine the effects of ~12 weeks of repeated hot water immersion (heat therapy) vs. thermoneutral water immersion on blood pressure and vascular function in late middle-life to older (≥50 years) adults.