Actively Recruiting
Aging, Beta Blockers, and Thermoregulatory Responses
Led by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Updated on 2025-10-23
22
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The trial investigates how the drugs propranolol and metoprolol affect core body temperature in older adults during extreme heat exposure. It aims to understand why adults over 65 have higher rates of heat-related illness and death, especially since beta blockers are commonly prescribed for cardiovascular conditions in this age group. This is important because previous studies in younger people showed beta blockers affect sweating and blood flow, but their impact on older adults in heat is unknown. Participants will experience 3 hours of heat exposure in a chamber set to 41C with 40 humidity. They will receive different sequences of propranolol, metoprolol, and placebo in a randomized, double-blind manner to compare effects on their body temperature and sweat rate. The study involves multiple treatment arms rotating these drugs to assess their influence during simulated heat waves. During the study, researchers will continuously measure internal body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure while also tracking whole body sweat rate before and after heat exposure by measuring body mass. The trial focuses on healthy adults aged 65 and older who meet specific health criteria. The total observation lasts through the 3-hour heat exposure, with close monitoring of cardiovascular and thermoregulatory responses to understand drug effects in aging individuals.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Aging, Beta Blockers, and Thermoregulatory Responses
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthy and free of any significant medical problems
- Normal resting electrocardiogram
- 65+ years of age
- Controlled cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dl
- Controlled blood pressure of less than 140/90 mmHg
You will not qualify if you...
- Known diseases or chronic conditions requiring regular medical therapy including cancer, diabetes, neurological diseases, uncontrolled hypertension, and uncontrolled hypercholesterolemia
- Serious abnormalities detected on routine screening
- Taking medications that affect cardiac function or sweating
- Current smokers or those who regularly smoked within the past 3 years
- Body mass index of 31 kg/m2 or higher
Research Team
E
Erin Harper, MS
C
Courtney Kirby, RN
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