The first study conducted by Almohanna & Wray (2018) addresses the phenomenon of correlation between smooth muscle tissues and intermittent hypoxic conditioning (IHC) (p, 756). The researchers acknowledge the presence of a positive tendency in terms of IHC performance and smooth muscle tissue function in such organs as the bladder or uterus and claim little correlation between IHC and smooth muscle tissues in the heart, lungs, and other visceral organs (Almohanna & Wray, 2018, p. 770). Thus, it would be reasonable to conclude that while there is a potential for cardiovascular benefits of IHC, no sufficient evidence is currently present.
The second study presented by Mallet et al. (2018) contains evidence of the matter of benefits of INC for patients with chronic diseases and patients with risks for high blood pressure and cardiac conditions. The paper claims that the current absence of sufficient evidence on the applicability of IHC does not account for its dangerous nature (Mallet et al., 2018, p. 232). The study also appeals to the IHC’s ability to produce cardioprotective nitric oxide during ischemia, but there is no explicit evidence of benefits for healthy subjects.
The third study by Timon et al. (2021) directly addresses the health of older adults and their inflammatory biomarkers as precursors of cardiac conditions. The findings of the study claim IHC to be a beneficial non-pharmaceutical practice to minimize the inflammation risks associated with aging (Timon et al., 2021, p. 11). Additionally, the authors emphasize the procedure’s potential to positively affect inflammatory biomarkers among the aging population. The present study may serve as a foundation for research in the field of cardiovascular benefits of the IHC due to inflammatory markers’ ability to catalyze cardiac issues among elderly subjects.
References
Almohanna, A. M., & Wray, S. (2018). Hypoxic conditioning in blood vessels and smooth muscle tissues: Effects on function, mechanisms, and unknowns.American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 315(4), 756-770.
Mallet, R. T., Manukhina, E. B., Ruelas, S. S., Caffrey, J. L., & Downey, H. F. (2018). Cardioprotection by intermittent hypoxia conditioning: Evidence, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential.American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 315(2), 216-232.
Timon, R., Martínez-Guardado, I., Camacho-Cardeñosa, A., Villa-Andrada, J. M., Olcina, G., & Camacho-Cardeñosa, M. (2021). Effect of intermittent hypoxic conditioning on inflammatory biomarkers in older adults.Experimental Gerontology, 111478.