Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Response During Exercise and Sexual Activity in Normotensive and Hypertensive Volunteers

Physical exertion will be measured by a standardized treadmill test. Sexual activity will be performed in the study subject's home with his/her spouse or regular partner. Each study subject will wear a blood pressure and heart rate monitor at home during their sexual activity and will be asked to complete a one page diary upon completion of the activity. Normotensive and subject with mild hypertension will be studied to determine if hypertensive subjects have a relatively greater increase in their blood pressure during either physical exercise or sexual activity.

Inclusion Criteri

• Male or female age 40-80

Exclusion criteria

• Current sexual partner less than six months duration or sexually inactive patients defined as engaging in sexual intercourse less than one time monthly
• Uncontrolled hypertension (resting blood pressure >160/100); secondary hypertension; renal failure (serum creatinine >3.0); congestive heart failure (NYHA functional Class III-IV); acute coronary syndrome; PCI or open heart surgery within past 3 months; cerebrovascular disease within the past 6 months and any other major medical or psychiatric disorder.

• Individuals who regularly (more than 3 times weekly) perform rigorous physical exercise.
• Individuals unable to perform an exercise treadmill stress test.
• Lack of informed consent