Establishing Evidence-based Indoor Temperature Thresholds to Protect Health (HW2)
Aging, Heat Stress, Physiological Stress
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Aging focused on measuring Heatwave,, heat-vulnerability, Indoor environments, Cardiovascular strain, thermoregulation, heat strain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or female (non-pregnant) adults aged 18-80 with or without a) chronic hypertension (elevated resting blood pressure; as defined by Heart and Stroke Canada and Hypertension Canada), b) type 2 diabetes as defined by Diabetes Canada, with at least 5 years having elapsed since time of diagnosis and or c) obesity as defined by the World Health Organization (Body Mass Index [BMI] greater than or equal to 30)
- non-smoking.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Episode(s) of severe hypoglycemia (requiring the assistance of another person) within the previous year, or inability to sense hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia unawareness).
Serious complications related to your diabetes (gastroparesis, renal disease, uncontrolled hypertension, severe autonomic neuropathy).
- Uncontrolled hypertension - BP >150 mmHg systolic or >95 mmHg diastolic in a sitting position.
- Restrictions in physical activity due to disease (e.g. intermittent claudication, renal impairment, active proliferative retinopathy, unstable cardiac or pulmonary disease, disabling stroke, severe arthritis, etc.).
- Use of or changes in medication judged by the patient or investigators to make participation in this study inadvisable.
- Cardiac abnormalities identified in your physical health screening form (adults <65 years of age and older; adults <60 years of age and older with diabetes and or hypertension) or during exercise stress testing as assessed by 12-lead (all adults ≥65 years of age and older).
Sites / Locations
- University of Ottawa
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
HOT condition
WARM Condition
TEMPERATE Condition
COOL Condition
Participants are exposed to 36°C and 45% relative humidity for 8 hours. These conditions were chosen to represent an extreme heat condition (i.e., heatwave) and are similar to peak domicile conditions measured in low-income high-rise apartment complexes during heatwaves.
Participants are exposed to 31°C and 45% relative humidity for 8 hours. These conditions are similar to mean domicile conditions measured in a variety of domicile types during heat waves complexes during heatwaves and are consistent with the World Heath Organization recommendation for maximal indoor temperatures.
Participants are exposed to 26°C and 45% relative humidity for 8 hours. These conditions are consistent with Toronto Public Health recommendation for maximal indoor temperatures, which are based on the increase in mortality associated with increases in outdoor temperature above these limits.
Participants are exposed to 22°C and 45% relative humidity for 8 hours. These conditions are consistent with actively cooled (air-conditioned) domicile.