Effects of Inorganic Nitrate and Intensity of Exercise on Cardiovascular Health in Post-Menopausal Females

Effects of Inorganic Nitrate and Intensity of Exercise on Cardiovascular Health in Post-Menopausal Females

Post-menopausal females experience elevated cardiovascular disease risk (CVD), compared to premenopausal females and age-matched males. Current exercise guidelines appear inadequate to ameliorate this increased risk and higher intensity exercise may be necessary. Oral inorganic nitrate supplementation enhances both exercise performance and CVD risk profile in several clinical conditions. However, the effects of this intervention in post-menopausal females is unexplored.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether acute inorganic nitrate supplementation and exercising at different exercise intensities (high vs moderate) improve vascular health in post-menopausal females.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Post-menopausal female, defined as having not had a menstrual cycle for at least 1 year
• Greater than age 45 but less than age 75
• Sedentary (does not exercise regularly)
• No major changes in medication in the last 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smokers within last 5 years
• Weight unstable (loss/gain of more than 3kg in the past 3 months)
• Any medical condition that prevents the subject from exercising safely
• Hormone replacement therapy (current or within last 3 months)
• Currently or recently on vasoactive medications (i.e., calcium channel blockers, statins, ACE or renin inhibitors, ARBs, nitrates, alpha- or beta-blockers, diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, etc.)
• Hysterectomy or oophorectomy