Reducing heat-related heart stress in older adults
Heat waves and the elderly: reducing thermal and cardiovascular consequences
This research looks at whether simple cooling methods—like wetting the skin and using fans—can lower body temperature and reduce heart strain in older adults during heat waves.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177028 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you participate, you would spend short sessions in a controlled lab that recreates two real heat wave conditions (hot and humid, and very hot and dry) while researchers monitor your body temperature and heart function. The study compares responses in older adults with those of younger adults to see how aging changes heat and heart stress. It will test low-energy cooling approaches such as skin wetting and the use of a fan, and measure whether these lower core temperature and cardiovascular strain. The research emphasizes practical ways to protect older people who may not have reliable air conditioning.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults who can safely undergo short, supervised heat-exposure sessions and who may be at higher risk for heat-related heart problems are the main candidates.
Not a fit: People with reliable air conditioning or those with unstable serious cardiac illnesses that make heat exposure unsafe may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify low-cost cooling strategies that reduce heart-related risks for older adults during heat waves.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows skin wetting can help lower body temperature and that fans can help or harm depending on temperature and humidity, but prolonged heat-wave exposures and these cooling combinations in older adults are less well studied.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crandall, Craig G — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Crandall, Craig G
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.