Submaximal oxygen uptake kinetics, functional mobility, and physical activity in older adults with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.

Background: Submaximal oxygen uptake measures are more feasible and may better predict clinical cardiac outcomes than maximal tests in older adults with heart failure (HF). We examined relationships between maximal oxygen uptake, submaximal oxygen kinetics, functional mobility, and physical activity in older adults with HF and reduced ejection fraction.

Methods: Older adults with HF and reduced ejection fraction (n = 25, age 75 ± 7 years) were compared to 25 healthy age- and gender-matched controls.

Does increased arterial stiffness increase the risk for postural hypotension?

This study tests the hypothesis that increased arterial stiffness is associated with postural hypotension in older adults. Aortic pulse wave velocity and postural blood pressure (BP) response were assessed in 49 nondiabetic community-dwelling normotensive (n=27) and hypertensive (n=22) older adults (mean age+/-SD, 71+/-6.7 years) who were not receiving vasoactive medications.

Arterial stiffness is related to insulin resistance in nondiabetic hypertensive older adults.

Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and aging are associated with increased arterial stiffness. Both insulin resistance and hyperglycemia may contribute to the development of arterial stiffness. Older nondiabetic hypertensive adults were recruited to test the following hypotheses: (1) insulin resistance is associated with arterial stiffness, and (2) this relationship is independent of glucose tolerance status.

Effects of aerobic exercise training in community-based subjects aged 80 and older: a pilot study.

Objectives: To assess the ability of sedentary, frail subjects aged 80 and older to train in a community-based exercise program and to evaluate clinical factors that predict improvements in peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak).

Design: Pretest, posttest.

Setting: Charlestown Retirement Community, Catonsville, Maryland

Participants: Twenty-two (11 male, 11 female; mean age +/- standard deviation = 84 +/- 4.

Correlates of aortic stiffness in elderly individuals: a subgroup of the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Background: Arterial stiffness has been associated with aging, hypertension, and diabetes; however, little data has been published examining risk factors associated with arterial stiffness in elderly individuals.

Methods: Longitudinal associations were made between aortic stiffness and risk factors measured approximately 4 years earlier. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), an established index of arterial stiffness, was measured in 356 participants (53.