Reducing Blood Pressure in Mid-life Adult Binge Drinkers
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
This study has two phases: Phase 1 is to examine blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers vs. alcohol abstainers/moderate drinkers. Phase 2 is to examine the effect of 8-week aerobic exercise training on blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women (50-64 years of age) who do not drink alcohol, who drink at moderate levels, or who binge drink * Female subjects will be postmenopausal (i.e., cessation of menses for ≥1 yr). * Subjects who can speak and understand English. Exclusion Criteria: * a history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver, or renal disease * current or history of smoking and illicit drug use * blood pressure ≥160/100 mm Hg * other known traditional cardiovascular disease risks: obesity (BMI≥35 kg/m2), or hyperlipidemia (total cholesterol\>230 mg/dl and/or LDL cholesterol\>160 mg/dl) * active infection (in the past 2 months) * a history of seizures, cancer, or inflammatory disease (i.e., gout or rheumatoid) * unstable body weight (\>5% change during the past 6 months) * regular aerobic exercise training (i.e., they engage in 30 min of structured aerobic exercise at least 3 times per week) * current use of hormone replacement therapy (i.e., estrogen, progesterone, and testost