ExPresSO
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exercise and Blood Pressure Study Oxfordshire
IRAS ID
155142
Contact name
Paul Leeson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Research summary
Research Summary:
Study Aims and Background
ExPresSO will estimate rates of high blood pressure in young adults between 18 and 40 years of age and investigate if rates are higher in people who were born prematurely. Currently, there is limited data on the rates of high blood pressure in preterm born young adults in the United Kingdom. European and North American studies suggest that preterm birth may be associated with high blood pressure as young adults. High blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
A number of factors may contribute to developing high blood pressure including smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and socio-economic status. This study will record these cardiovascular risk factors, with emphasis on understanding physical activity behaviours. Promoting physical activity is an important target for improving cardiovascular health.Study Participants
Potential participants will be invited after screening of the John Radcliffe Hospital’s birth and neonatal admission registers dating from 1975 to 1996. Inviting participation from individuals born in Oxford will allow the study investigators to collect accurate information on participants’ birth history following participants’ consent to access their birth and neonatal records. The study aims to recruit 600 participants.Study Procedures
Participants will be asked to attend the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, John Radcliffe Hospital for a study visit lasting approximately 60 -70 minutes. Participants will be asked to provide measures of height; weight and skin fold thickness, provide a measure of blood pressure, donate a sample of blood, and complete a study questionnaire. Following the study visit participants will be asked to wear a wrist worn activity monitor to record their physical activity for 9 days.Study Management
The study will be managed by the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford. It is funded by the British Heart Foundation. The Chief Investigator is Professor Paul Leeson.Summary of Results:
The ExPreSSO study was interested in understanding more about the factors that influence blood pressure in young adults. In particular, how experiences at the time of birth, such as being born prematurely or following a complicated pregnancy influence blood pressure in adulthood. The study collected data on birth history as well as basic data on lifestyle and blood pressure later in life. Participants in the study were also invited to take part in more detailed studies and trials to explore differences in the structure and function of the heart and other organs such as the brain. The observational study successfully recruited a cohort of participants and a series of papers were published. Examples of findings that involved participants and data from the study include:
1. A trial that demonstrated exercise during young adulthood did not influence blood pressure (Lancet eClinicalMedicine 2022) but could beneficially effect the heart structure, particularly in people born preterm (Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2023), and also was related to blood supply to the brain (JAMA 2018, Neuroimage Clin 2023)
2. Those born preterm have differences in exercise capacity and response (Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2021, JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2020) and that exercise responses can be predicted by different heart measures (Eur Heart J Imaging Methods and Practice 2023, Echocardiography 2021)REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/0281
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion