Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Response During Exercise and Sexual Activity in Normotensive and Hypertensive Volunteers
Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Response During Exercise and Sexual Activity in Normotensive and Hypertensive Volunteers
The purpose of this study is to determine the amount of cardiac work as measured by heart rate and blood pressure during physical exertion compared to sexual activity.
Physical exertion will be measured by a standardized treadmill test. Sexual activity will be performed in the study subject's home with his/her spouse or regular partner. Each study subject will wear a blood pressure and heart rate monitor at home during their sexual activity and will be asked to complete a one page diary upon completion of the activity. Normotensive and subject with mild hypertension will be studied to determine if hypertensive subjects have a relatively greater increase in their blood pressure during either physical exercise or sexual activity.
Inclusion Criteri
1) Male or female age 40-80
Exclusion Criteria
Current sexual partner less than six months duration or sexually inactive patients defined as engaging in sexual intercourse less than one time monthly
Uncontrolled hypertension (resting blood pressure >160/100); secondary hypertension; renal failure (serum creatinine >3.0); congestive heart failure (NYHA functional Class III-IV); acute coronary syndrome; PCI or open heart surgery within past 3 months; cerebrovascular disease within the past 6 months and any other major medical or psychiatric disorder.