Actively Recruiting
Heat Waves in the Elderly: Reducing Thermal and Cardiovascular Consequences
Led by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Updated on 2025-10-23
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how different cooling methods can reduce cardiovascular stress in elderly people during heat waves. This study focuses on people aged 65 and older, examining their heart and body temperature responses to two types of prolonged heat wave conditions: very hot and dry, and hot and humid. The goal is to understand how low-energy cooling approaches might protect the elderly from the harmful effects of extreme heat. Participants will experience controlled heat wave conditions in a climate chamber set to replicate either a very hot and dry heat wave (similar to the 2018 Los Angeles event) or a hot and humid heat wave (similar to the 1995 Chicago event). Each participant will complete four visits per heat condition, each time exposed to a different cooling method: no cooling (control), water spray, fan use, or both fan use plus water spray. Each exposure lasts three hours. During the study, participants will undergo multiple assessments including core body temperature, heart function, blood pressure, sweat rate, kidney function markers, brain blood flow, skin temperature, and lung capacity. These measurements will be taken before, during, and after each heat exposure. The study includes detailed monitoring of cardiovascular and thermal responses to evaluate the effectiveness of the cooling methods in reducing heat stress. Participation spans several visits to complete all testing conditions.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Heat Waves and the Elderly - Cooling Modalities
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- 65 years of age or older
- Free of any significant underlying medical problems based upon a detailed medical history and physical exam
You will not qualify if you...
- Known heart disease
- Other chronic medical conditions requiring regular medical therapy including cancer, diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, and uncontrolled hypercholesterolemia
- Abnormality detected on routine screening suggestive of provokable ischemia or previously undetected cardiac disease or resting left bundle branch block on screening electrocardiogram
- Current smokers or those who regularly smoked within the past 3 years
- Body mass index of 31 kg/m2 or higher
- Pregnant individuals
- Resting left bundle branch block on screening electrocardiogram (if applicable based on screening)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 visits over approximately 4 weeks
Participants are exposed to heat wave conditions in a climate chamber with different cooling modalities applied during each visit to evaluate cardiovascular and thermal responses.
4 visits (in-person), each lasting about 3 hours
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Dallas, Texas, United States, 75231
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
R
Rachel Cottle, PhD
E
Erin Harper, BS
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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