How Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Respond to Standing and Exercise in Hypertension
Observes heart and blood vessel responses to standing and cycling in adults with hypertension.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Autonomic Regulation of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate During Orthostasis and Exercise in Healthy and Hypertensive Individuals
Key facts
- Where
- Ljubljana, SloveniaSee the site
Where in Slovenia
- University Medical Centre LjubljanaLjubljana, SloveniaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana
- Trial code
- NCT07482462
- Record updated
- 19 March 2026
- Original description
The goal of this observational study is to assess arterial stiffness and autonomic regulation of blood pressure and heart rate in healthy adults and people with arterial hypertension during orthostatic stress and graded physical exercise. The main objective is to analyze cardiovascular responses to exercise on a cycle ergometer in different subgroups of participants with hypertension.Read full original descriptionShow less
Assessment of Autonomic Regulation of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Healthy and Hypertensive Individuals During Orthostasis and Physical Exercise
The goal of this observational study is to assess arterial stiffness and autonomic regulation of blood pressure and heart rate in healthy adults and people with arterial hypertension during orthostatic stress and graded physical exercise. The main objective is to analyze cardiovascular responses to exercise on a cycle ergometer in different subgroups of participants with hypertension.
The study includes healthy young adults and older adults with hypertension. Participants undergo standardized assessments including orthostatic testing, graded exercise testing on a cycle ergometer, electrocardiography, and measurement of arterial stiffness parameters such as pulse wave velocity, as well as other vascular and hemodynamic parameters.
The results of this study are expected to improve understanding of cardiovascular physiology and autonomic regulation in people with hypertension and may contribute to earlier recognition of autonomic dysfunction and improved clinical management.
Inclusion: Healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years without known acute or chronic disease, non-smokers, body mass index (BMI) 20-24.9 kg/m², and negative orthostatic test; Participants aged ≥60 years with arterial hypertension followed at the Department of Hypertension; Hypertension group: controlled arterial hypertension, negative orthostatic test, without diabetes mellitus; Hypertension with orthostatic hypotension group: controlled arterial hypertension and positive orthostatic test indicating orthostatic hypotension; Hypertension with orthostatic hypertension group: controlled arterial hypertension and positive orthostatic test indicating a rise in blood pressure during orthostatic testing; Hypertension with diabetes mellitus group: controlled arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus without previously diagnosed autonomic dysfunction; Ability to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion: Known cardiovascular disease including heart failure (NYHA II-IV), myocardial infarction within the previous 6 months, clinically significant arrhythmias, or peripheral arterial occlusive disease; Change in antihypertensive therapy within the previous 4 weeks; Treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs (class I, III, or IV), digoxin, alpha-receptor blockers, or other medications known to significantly affect heart rate variability or autonomic function; Acute illness within the previous 4 weeks; Dementia, neurodegenerative disease, or cognitive impairment preventing understanding of study procedures; Uncontrolled arterial hypertension; Presence of a cardiac pacemaker; Active malignancy; Severe psychiatric disorders without stable treatment; Advanced renal failure (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m²) or advanced liver failure; Body mass index ≥35 kg/m²; Current smoking; Inability to safely perform exercise testing on a cycle ergometer; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; Participation in another clinical study; Refusal or inability to provide written informed consent.