Exercise Physiology Research Presentation: Dr. Garrett Ash

Title: Prescribing and Promoting Exercise for People with Hypertension

Abstract: Hypertension is the most prevalent, costly and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease affecting over one billion adults globally. The American Heart Association currently endorses isometric handgrip exercise as a promising new lifestyle therapy for hypertension. This presentation will describe the first trial directly comparing hypertensive effects of isometric handgrip exercise versus more traditional aerobic exercise to underserved, demographically diverse populations with elevated risk for chronic disease. These strategies include family based intensive lifestyle programs with self-management support and peer group exercise class. Future mobile health delivery of these interventions will also be discussed.

About the speaker: Garrett Ash is a postdoctoral fellow at the Yale University School of Nursing. He holds his Ph.D. in exercise physiology from the University of Connecticut, where he studied the physiological impact of exercise on hypertension. As a postdoctoral fellow, he has expanded the focus to comprehensive behavioral interventions promoting exercise and healthy lifestyles for youth with Type 1 diabetes. Other interests include molecular biomarkers of exercise response, as well as mobile health delivery of exercise promotion interventions.