Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of whole-body mild-cold exposure on arterial stiffness and central haemodynamics: a randomised, cross-over trial in healthy men and women

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk and mortality, but little is known about the effect of air temperature changes on these variables. Our study investigated the effect of exposure to whole-body mild-cold on measures of arterial stiffness (aortic and brachial PWV), and on central haemodynamics [including augmented pressure (AP), AIx], and aortic reservoir components [including reservoir and excess pressures (P ex)]. Sixteen healthy volunteers (10 men, age 43 ± 19 years; mean ± SD) were randomised to be studied under conditions of 12 °C (mild-cold) and 21 °C (control) on separate days. Supine resting measures were taken at baseline (ambient temperature) and after 10, 30, and 60 min exposure to each experimental condition in a climate chamber. There was no significant change in brachial blood pressure between mild-cold and control conditions. However, compared to control, AP [+2 mmHg, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.36–4.36; p = 0.01] and AIx (+6 %, 95 % CI 1.24–10.1; p = 0.02) increased, and time to maximum P ex (a component of reservoir function related to timing of peak aortic in-flow) decreased (−7 ms, 95 % CI −15.4 to 2.03; p = 0.01) compared to control. Yet there was no significant change in aortic PWV (+0.04 m/s, 95 % CI −0.47 to 0.55; p = 0.87) or brachial PWV (+0.36 m/s; −0.41 to 1.12; p = 0.35) between conditions. We conclude that mild-cold exposure increases central haemodynamic stress and alters timing of peak aortic in-flow without differentially affecting arterial stiffness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

PWV:

Pulse wave velocity

AIx:

Augmentation index

AP:

Augmented pressure

BP:

Blood pressure

CV:

Cardiovascular

LV:

Left ventricle

P res :

Reservoir pressure

P ex :

Excess pressure

PWA:

Pulse wave analysis

PP:

Pulse pressure

MBP:

Mean blood pressure

References

  • Aguado-Sierra J, Alastruey J, Wang JJ, Hadjiloizou N, Davies J, Parker KH (2008) Separation of the reservoir and wave pressure and velocity from measurements at an arbitrary location in arteries. Proc Inst Mech Eng H 222(4):403–416

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alastruey J (2010) On the mechanics underlying the reservoir-excess separation in systemic arteries and their implications for pulse wave analysis. Cardiovasc Eng 10:176–189

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alperovitch A, Lacombe JM, Hanon O, Dartigues JF, Ritchie K, Ducimetière P, Tzourio C (2009) Relationship between blood pressure and outdoor temperature in a large sample of elderly individuals: the three-city study. Arch Intern Med 169(1):75–80

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ASHRAE (2010) American society of heating refrigerating and air conditioning engineers handbook, 2010. Standard 55-2010—Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy (ANSI approved)

  • Australian Bureau of Meteorology (2011) Temperature definitions. http://reg.bom.gov.au/info/wwords/

  • Belz GG (1995) Elastic properties and Windkessel function of the human aorta. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 9:73–83

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blatteis CM (2012) Age-dependent changes in temperature regulation-a mini review. Gerontology 58(4):289–295. doi:10.1159/000333148

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron AC, Trivedi PK (1998) Regression analysis of count data. University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Casey DP, Braith RW, Pierce GL (2008) Changes in central artery blood pressure and wave reflection during a cold pressor test in young adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 103:539–543

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charach G, Rabinovich P, Weintraub M (2004) Seasonal changes in blood pressure and frequency of related complications in elderly Israeli patients with essential hypertension. Gerontology 50:315–321

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CH, Nevo E, Fetics B, Pak PH, Yin FC, Maughan WL, Kass DA (1997) Estimation of central aortic pressure waveform by mathematical transformation of radial tonometry pressure. Validation of generalized transfer function. Circulation 95(7):1827–1836

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Danet S, Richard F, Montaye M, Beauchant S, Lemaire B, Graux C, Cottel D, Marécaux N, Amouyel P (1999) Unhealthy effects of atmospheric temperature and pressure on the occurrence of myocardial infarction and coronary deaths. A 10-year survey: the Lille-World Health Organization MONICA project (monitoring trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease). Circulation 100(1):E1–E7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davie A, Amoore J (2010) Best practice in the measurement of body temperature. Nurs Stand 24(42):42–49

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davies JE, Hadjiloizou N, Leibovich D, Malaweera A, Whinnett ZI, Manisty CF, Francis DP, Aguado-Sierra J, Foale RA, Malik IS, Parker KH, Mayet J, Hughes AD (2007) Importance of the aortic reservoir in determining the shape of the arterial pressure waveform—the forgotten lessons of Frank. Artery Res 1(2):40–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies JE, Baksi J, Francis DP, Hadjiloizou N, Whinnett ZI, Manisty CH, Aguado-Sierra J, Foale RA, Malik IS, Tyberg JV, Parker KH, Mayet J, Hughes AD (2010) The arterial reservoir pressure increases with aging and is the major determinant of the aortic augmentation index. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 298(2):H580–H586

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards DG, Gauthier AL, Hayman MA, Lang JT, Kenefick RW (2006) Acute effects of cold exposure on central aortic wave reflection. J Appl Physiol 100(4):1210–1214

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards DG, Roy MS, Prasad RY (2008) Wave reflection augments central systolic and pulse pressures during facial cooling. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 294(6):H2535–H2539

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farnell S, Maxwell L, Tan S, Rhodes A, Philips B (2005) Temperature measurement: comparison of non-invasive methods used in adult critical care. J Clin Nurs 14:632–639

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frank O (1899) Die grundform des arteriellen pulses. Translated and edited by Sagawa K, Lie R, & Schaefer J, 1990. J Mol Cell Cardiol 22:253–277

  • Gallagher D, Adji A, O’Rourke MF (2004) Validation of the transfer function technique for generating central from peripheral upper limb pressure waveform. Am J Hypertens 17(11 Pt 1):1059–1067

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gao Z, Wilson T, Drew R, Ettinger J, Monahan K (2012) Altered coronary vascular control during cold stress in healthy older adults. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 302(1):H312–H318

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geleris P, Stavrati A, Boudoulas H (2004) Effect of cold, isometric exercise, and combination of both on aortic pulse in healthy subjects. Am J Cardiol 93(2):265–267

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Halonen J, Zanobetti A, Sparrow D, Vokonas P, Schwartz J (2011) Relationship between outdoor temperature and blood pressure. Occup Environ Med 68(4):296–301

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayashi K, Miyachi M, Seno N, Takahashi K, Yamazaki K, Sugawara J, Yokoi T, Onodera S, Mesaki N (2006) Fluctuations in carotid arterial distensibility during the menstrual cycle do not influence cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 186:103–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heffernan KS, Sharman JE, Yoon ES, Kim EJ, Jung SJ, Jae SY (2010) Effect of increased preload on the synthesized aortic blood pressure waveform. J Appl Physiol 109(2):484–490

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hess K, Wilson TE, Sauder C, Gao Z, Ray C, Monahan KD (2009) Aging affects the cardiovascular responses to cold stress in humans. J Appl Physiol 107(4):1076–1082

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holm S (1979) A simple sequentially rejective multiple test procedure. Scand J Stat 6(2):65–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly RP, Millasseau S, Ritter J, Chowienczyk P (2001) Vasoactive drugs influence aortic augmentation index independently of pulse wave velocity in healthy men. Hypertension 37(6):1429–1433

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kingma BR, Frijns AJ, Saris WH, van Steenhoven AA, van Marken Lichtenbelt WD (2011) Increased systolic blood pressure after mild cold and rewarming: relation to cold-induced thermogenesis and age. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 203(4):419–427

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laurent S, Cockcroft JR, Van Bortel LM, Boutouyrie P, Giannattasio C, Hayoz D, Pannier B, Vlachopolous C, Wilkinson IB, Struijker-Boudier H (2006) Expert consensus document on arterial stiffness: methodological issues and clinical applications. Eur Heart J 27:2588–2605

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lim C, Bynre C, Lee J (2008) Human thermoregulation and measurement of body temperature in exercise and clinical settings. Ann Acad Med Singap 37:347–353

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy P, Heusch A (2006) The vagaries of ear temperature measurement. J Med Eng Technol 30(4):242–251

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McEniery CM, Yasmin, Hall IR, Qasem AM, Wilkinson IB, Cockcroft JR (2005) Normal vascular aging: differential effects on wave reflection and aortic pulse wave velocity. The ACCT trial. J Am Coll Cardiol 46(9):1753–1760

  • Moriyama K, Ifuki H (2010) Increased cardiovascular reactivity to the cold pressor test is not associated with increased reactivity to isometric handgrip exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 108(4):837–843

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muller M, Gao Z, Drew R, Herr M, Leuenberger U, Sinoway L (2011) Effect of cold air inhalation and isometric exercise on coronary blood flow and myocardial function in humans. J Appl Physiol 111(6):1694–1702

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nabel EG, Ganz P, Gordon JB, Alexander RW, Selwyn AP (1988) Dilation of normal and constriction of atherosclerotic coronary arteries caused by the cold pressor test. Circulation 77(1):43–52

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nichols WW, O’Rourke MF (2005) McDonald’s blood flow in arteries: theoretical, experimental and clinical principles, 5th edn. Hodder Arnold, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols WW, Denardo S, Wilkinson IB, McEniery CM, Cockcroft JR, O’Rourke MF (2008) Effects of arterial stiffness, pulse wave velocity and wave reflections on the central aortic pressure waveform. J Clin Hypertens 10:295–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill MS, Ebi KL (2009) Temperature extremes and health: impacts of climate variability and change in the United States. J Occup Environ Med 51(1):13–25

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Rourke MF, Staessen JA, Vlachopoulos C, Duprez D, Plante GE (2002) Clinical applications of arterial stiffness; definitions and reference values. Am J Hypertens 15(5):426–444

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsey JB (1969) Tests for specification errors in classical linear least-squares regression analysis. J R Stat Soc Ser B Stat Methodol 31(2):350–371

    Google Scholar 

  • Saba PS, Roman MJ, Pini R, Spitzer M, Ganau A, Devereux RB (1993) Relation of arterial pressure waveform to left ventricular and carotid anatomy in normotensive subjects. J Am Coll Cardiol 22(7):1873–1880

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sessler DI (2009) Thermoregulatory defense mechanisms. Crit Care Med 37(7 Suppl):S203–S210

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharman JE, Lim R, Qasem AM, Coombes JS, Burgess MI, Franco J, Garrahy P, Wilkinson IB, Marwick TH (2006) Validation of a generalized transfer function to noninvasively derive central blood pressure during exercise. Hypertension 47(6):1203–1208

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharman JE, Davies JE, Jenkins C, Marwick TH (2009) Augmentation index, left ventricular contractility, and wave reflection. Hypertension 54(5):1099–1105

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stocks JM, Taylor NA, Tipton MJ, Greenleaf JE (2004) Human physiological responses to cold exposure. Aviat Space Environ Med 75(5):444–457

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tyberg JV, Shrive NG, Bouwmeester C, Parker KH, Wang JJ (2008) The reservoir-wave paradigm: potential implications for hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rev 4:203–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Bortel LM, Duprez D, Starmans-Kool MJ, Safar ME, Giannattasio C, Cockcroft JR, Kaiser DR, Thuillez C (2002) Clinical applications of arterial stiffness, Task Force III: recommendations for user procedures. Am J Hypertens 15(5):445–452

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vlachopoulos C, Aznaouridis K, O’Rourke MF, Safar ME, Baou K, Stefanadis C (2010a) Prediction of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with central haemodynamics: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Heart J 31(15):1865–1871

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vlachopoulos C, Aznaouridis K, Stefanadis C (2010b) Prediction of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with arterial stiffness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol 55(13):1318–1327

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang JJ, O’Brien AB, Shrive NG, Parker KH, Tyberg JV (2003) Time-domain representation of ventricular–arterial coupling as a windkessel and wave system. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 284(4):H1358–H1368

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang JJ, Shrive NG, Parker KH, Hughes AD, Tyberg JV (2011) Wave propagation and reflection in the canine aorta: analysis using a reservoir-wave approach. Can J Cardiol 27(3):389.e1–389.e10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westerhof N, Lankhaar JW, Westerhof BE (2009) The arterial windkessel. Med Biol Eng Comput 47(2):131–141

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson IB, Fuchs SA, Jansen IM, Spratt JC, Murray GD, Cockcroft JR, Webb DJ (1998) Reproducibility of pulse wave velocity and augmentation index measured by pulse wave analysis. J Hypertens 16(12 Pt 2):2079–2084

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson TE, Gao Z, Hess KL, Monahan KD (2010) Effect of aging on cardiac function during cold stress in humans. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 298:R1627–R1633

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We gratefully thank Miss Melissa Williams for assistance with data collection, Dr. Iain Roberston for assistance with statistical planning and analyses, and our study participants for their valuable contributions to this research. Dr. Justin Davies is a British Heart Foundation research fellow (FS/05/006). This study was supported by the Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

Ethical standards

The study design was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (Tasmania) Network (approval number H0011347) and adhered to the principles of the declaration of Helsinki. All participants provided written informed consent.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors has a conflict of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Life Sciences, University of Tasmania, Locked Bag 1320, Launceston, TAS, 7250, Australia

    Sibella G. King, Kiran D. K. Ahuja, Jezreel Wass, Cecilia M. Shing, Murray J. Adams & Andrew D. Williams

  2. International Centre for Circulatory Health, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Justin E. Davies

  3. Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

    James E. Sharman

Authors
  1. Sibella G. King
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kiran D. K. Ahuja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jezreel Wass
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cecilia M. Shing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Murray J. Adams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Justin E. Davies
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. James E. Sharman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Andrew D. Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrew D. Williams.

Additional information

Communicated by Narihiko Kondo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

King, S.G., Ahuja, K.D.K., Wass, J. et al. Effect of whole-body mild-cold exposure on arterial stiffness and central haemodynamics: a randomised, cross-over trial in healthy men and women. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 1257–1269 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2543-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2543-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation