Dietary Nitrates and Vascular Function in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Dietary Nitrates and Vascular Function in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

The overarching question addressed in the current project is: Does dietary nitrate supplementation (8 weeks) improve physiological function in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)? The investigators will specifically address whether dietary nitrate supplementation enhances blood vessel function, blood pressure regulation, and exercise capacity. The proposed project uses an array of clearly defined measurements which will allow investigators to quantify blood vessel function (vasodilator responsiveness and arterial stiffness), blood pressure (variability and responsiveness to stress), and functional capacity before and after 8 weeks of dietary supplementation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Documented peripheral artery disease
• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) < or = to 0.90

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-atherosclerotic vascular disease
• Critical limb ischemia
• Active ischemic ulceration
• Recent (within one year) revascularization
• Symptomatic coronary artery disease (angina pectoris)
• Heart failure
• Resting systolic blood pressure > 180 mmHg or diastolic pressure > 100 mmHg
• Hypotension (resting systolic BP < 90 mmHg)
• Smoking or history of smoking within past one year
• Use of phosphodiesterase V inhibitor drugs
• Women with history of hormone replacement therapy within the past 6 months