The Role of EDHFs on Blood Pressure Following a Bout of Prolonged Sitting

Inclusion criteria

• Are between the ages of 18-65.
• Have a body mass index of <40kg/m2 (non-obese).
• Have not smoked nicotine or marijuana-containing products most days of the week within the past 6 months.
• Have not been diagnosed with a cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, respiratory, or metabolic disease.
• Are normotensive.
• Are not currently taking any medications for cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, or neurological disorders, or taking sildenafil regularly.
• Are not allergic to the adhesive used to secure the activPAL activity monitors.
• Are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Are not regularly taking any of the following: another anti-fungal, heartburn medications containing cisapride (e.g., Propulsid), depression medications containing amitriptyline (e.g., Elavil) or nortriptyline (e.g., Pamelor), erythromycin (antibiotic), lipid lower medications (i.e., statins), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen), or vitamin A supplements.

Exclusion criteria

• o Younger than 18 years old. Individuals younger than 18 demonstrate more variable peak FMD responses and require multiple assessments to determine peak response.

• Over the age of 65. There are age-related impacts on arterial function and the responses to sitting.
• Body mass index of >40 kg/m2 (i.e., obese II category)(6-8).
• Smoked nicotine or marijuana-containing products most days of the week within the past 6 months. Cardiovascular health for participants who smoke is poor compared to those who do not smoke, which will negatively impact our arterial function outcomes.
• Have been diagnosed with a cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, respiratory, or metabolic disease. Such conditions impact our assessments of arterial health. The results of unhealthy participants are not of interest in this study.
• Hypertension (seated resting systolic pressure >139 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure >89 mmHg). Hypertensive individuals have impairments in artery health, which will affect their baseline artery health measures.
• Hypotensive (seated resting systolic pressure <90 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure <60 mmHg). Hypotensive people are more likely to experience further reductions in blood pressure during the sitting protocol, which will increase the risk of fainting and/or dizziness.
• Have a history of fainting and/or dizziness during sitting or standing.
• Prescribed medications for cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, or neurological disorders. This includes people using hormone replacement therapy. These medications will interfere with our assessments and interpretation of arterial health.
• Have a known allergy to the clear medical adhesive used to secure the activPAL activity monitors.
• Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnant and breastfeeding females are ineligible to participate. This is due to the known increases in arterial vasodilation associated with pregnancy related sex hormones.
• Currently or recently (within the past 6 months) regularly taking sildenafil or other medications that increase the relaxing effects of nitric oxide in arteries. Such medication will influence artery blood flow and flow-mediated dilation responses.
• Are regularly taking any of the following: another anti-fungal, heartburn medications containing cisapride (e.g., Propulsid), depression medications containing amitriptyline (e.g., Elavil) or nortriptyline (e.g., Pamelor), erythromycin (antibiotic), lipid lower medications (i.e., statins), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen), or vitamin A supplements. These are to minimize the chance of a participant experiencing an adverse reaction to the fluconazole tablet.