Ethnic Differences in Arterial Stiffness and Central Blood Pressure Regulation Following High-Intensity Exercise

RM 211

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in the U.S. with 610,000 mortalities every year. Arterial stiffness and high blood pressure (BP), especially central BP are independent risk factors of future CVD events. African Americans have the highest prevalence of developing CVD, followed by the Hispanic and white population, and Asians having the lowest risk of developing CVD. Cerebral vascular disease, known as Stroke, is a serious vascular disease that may be caused by the similar risk factors as CVD. Arterial stiffness is associated with cerebral vascular disease and Hispanic population has a high rate of developing cerebral vascular disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate ethnic difference in arterial stiffness and its response to high intensity exercise in young healthy Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults. Participants will undergo arterial stiffness and hemodynamic measurements, including carotid artery intima media thickness, pulse wave velocity and central BP measurements by ultrasonography, and tonometer, respectively, before, immediate post, and 30-minute post high intensity exercise. We hypothesize that healthy young Hispanic has similar arterial stiffness compared to non-Hispanic white at rest. The second hypothesis is that Hispanic exhibits higher arterial stiffness and central blood pressure immediate post exercise and 30-minute post exercise, when compared to non-Hispanic white.