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From the Human Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Center for Physical
Activity, Disease Prevention, and Aging, Department of Kinesiology, University
of Colorado at Boulder (K.P.D., D.R.S., H.T.), and the Department of Medicine,
Divisions of Cardiology and Geriatric Medicine and Center on Aging, University
of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver (D.R.S.), Colo.
Correspondence to Kevin P. Davy, PhD, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Colorado State University, 212C Moby Complex, Fort Collins, CO 80523. E-mail davy{at}cahs.colostate.edu
Abstract—Based on observations of
smaller increases in limb vascular resistance during acute incremental
hypovolemia in older adults, cardiopulmonary and integrative
(combined cardiopulmonary and arterial) baroreflex
control of sympatho-circulatory function is thought to be impaired with
aging in humans. We tested this hypothesis directly by making
intraneural measurements of skeletal muscle sympathetic nerve activity
(MSNA; peroneal microneurography) in groups of young (23±1 years;
n=11) and older (64±1 years; n=12) healthy adult men during
progressive hypovolemia produced by graded (-5 to -40 mm Hg)
lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Baseline levels of MSNA and
arterial blood pressure were higher and heart rate was
lower in the older subjects (P<0.05). Lower levels of
LBNP (-5 to -20 mm Hg) did not affect arterial
blood pressure or heart rate in either group; systolic and
pulse pressures declined during higher levels of LBNP (-30 and
-40 mm Hg) but only in the young subjects
(P<0.05). Graded LBNP evoked progressive, linear
reductions in peripheral venous pressure (PVP) and
increases in MSNA, plasma norepinephrine concentration
(PNE), and forearm vascular resistance (FVR) in both groups (all
P<0.05).
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.
Scientific Contributions
Augmented Cardiopulmonary and Integrative Sympathetic Baroreflexes but Attenuated Peripheral Vasoconstriction With Age
MSNA/PVP was 
150% greater in the
older versus young men during both lower and higher levels of
hypovolemia (P<0.01); however, FVR/PVP was
50% smaller in the older men (P<0.05). There was no
difference in the MSNA-PNE relation with age, but FVR/MSNA was
65% to 70% smaller in the older subjects (P<0.05).
Our findings indicate that cardiopulmonary and integrative
baroreflex control of central sympathetic outflow during hypovolemia is
augmented, not impaired, with age in healthy humans. However, the
reflex-mediated increases in limb vascular resistance during
hypovolemia are smaller in older adults because of attenuated
vasoconstrictor responsiveness to sympathetic stimulation.
Key Words: hypovolemia • aging • blood pressure
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