Sex Differences in the Role of SNA in Hypertension in Humans

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Sex Differences in the Role of Sympathetic Nerve Activity in the Development of Hypertension in Humans.

• IRAS ID

  243054

• Contact name

  Emma Hart

• Contact email

  Emma.Hart@bristol.ac.uk

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 5 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Individual risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) depends on both age and sex. Young women are less likely to develop hypertension than young men. Previous research suggests that this may be because the nervous system regulates blood pressure differently in men and women. It is thought that in premenopausal women, female sex hormones make it harder for the nerves that control blood pressure (the sympathetic nerves) to raise blood pressure. As a result, most young women are protected against hypertension by their hormones. However, despite this protection, a number of young women do develop hypertension, the cause of which is unknown. The sympathetic nerves may be affected by female sex hormones differently in these women. Furthermore, the risk of women developing hypertension increases after the menopause. This may be because the sympathetic nerves find it easier to raise blood pressure when levels of female sex hormones are lower.
  This study aims to investigate why some premenopausal women develop hypertension and why risk of hypertension increases after the menopause. To do this we will measure how active the sympathetic nerves are, using a technique called microneurography. We will measure sympathetic nerve activity in people with high and normal blood pressure across four different groups: premenopausal women, younger men, postmenopausal women and older men. Sympathetic nerve activity will be recorded at rest and during brief periods of handgrip exercise. Additionally, in younger women and men, sympathetic nerve activity will be recorded during an infusion of the beta-blocker drug propranolol. The study involves one visit to the Clinical Research and Imaging Centre (Bristol), lasting approximately 5 hours for younger participants and 3 hours for older participants.

• REC name

  South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/SW/0237

• Date of REC Opinion

  29 Nov 2018

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion