Physical activity moderates the relationship between hot flashes and arterial wave reflection in perimenopausal females

Subclinical CVD risk factors are associated with hot flashes (HF). Habitual physical activity (PA) reduces CVD risk in part due to effects on blood vessel characteristics. The objective was to evaluate associations between arterial wave reflection (WR), HFs, and PA in perimenopausal people and determine whether PA moderates the relationship. Objective HF were related to higher WR (r (51) = 0.31, p = 0.02). Moderate to vigorous PA was negatively associated with the augmentation index normalized for a heart rate of 75 beats/min (AIx75) (r (57) = - 0.42, p = 0.0009) and WR (r (59) = - 0.34, p = 0.008). Inactivity time was correlated with WR (r (59) = 0.35, p = 0.005). Simple slope analysis showed that moderate-intensity PA (MPA) affected the relationship between HF and WR (HFxMPA, ꞵ[SE] = -0.37[0.17], p = 0.04), as the association was significant at lower levels of moderate PA (-1SD from mean MPA, ꞵ[SE] = 23.33[7.52], p = 0.003) but not higher levels (+1SD from mean MPA, ꞵ[SE] = 2.48[6.1], p = 0.69). Findings suggest that moderate to vigorous PA is an important strategy to reduce CVD risk related to HF in perimenopause.