The Effect of Water Carbonation on Orthostatic Tolerance

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

500mL carbonated water: Drink 500mL carbonated water immediately prior to head-up tilt test

500mL still water: Drink 500mL still water immediately prior to head-up tilt test

50mL still water: Drink 50mL still water immediately prior to head-up tilt test

Study summary

The primary purpose of this investigation is to determine whether water carbonation can improve orthostatic tolerance in healthy control volunteers. Orthostatic tolerance refers to the ability to maintain an adequate blood pressure when standing. In some individuals blood pressure can fall when standing, predisposing to dizzy spells or fainting episodes. Drinking water can boost blood pressure and making fainting episodes less likely. However, it is not clear whether the carbonation of the water has any further impact on the blood pressure response. This is important because it may be that carbonated water expands the stomach (gastric distension), provoking an increase in sympathetic activity. The increase in sympathetic nervous system activity boosts blood pressure. Resolving this question would have important implications for patients with syncope. This study will test whether carbonated water will have any further impact on blood pressure than the already known effect of non-carbonated water.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Orthostatic tolerance — 0-50 minutes
  The time, in minutes, to presyncope (near-fainting) after the initiation of head-up tilt

Trial sites (1)

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