Prehypertension (Elevated Blood Pressure) or Hypertension

In this study, investigators will use the IFT 30-15 test, a six-minute walking test, and a treadmill test to assess the participants' cardiorespiratory fitness. For the treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), we will measure indirect gas exchange using a CPET device (K5). Maximum heart rate (HRmax) will be measured with a Polar heart rate monitor (model H10). The six-minute walking test will follow standardized procedures, and the treadmill test will follow a protocol of gradually increasing speed each minute. The study will involve two groups of participants: healthy individuals and pre-hypertensive individuals. While the IFT 30-15 test has been validated on a diverse range of athletes and physically active individuals, it has not yet been validated in individuals with similar characteristics to our participants (BMI \> 30 and limited cardiovascular function). Additionally, a variety of hemodynamic measures and other physical function measures such as sit-to-stand and push-ups will be assessed for all participants.

In this study, the investigators will evaluate acute changes in vascular function measures after moderate-intensity continuous and high-intensity interval exercise in healthy and prehypertensive individuals. Participants will be subjected to three separate visits: control condition (30 min rest), moderate-intensity continuous exercise, and high-intensity interval exercise. The investigators will measure aerobic capacity using a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) using indirect gas-exchange to derive subsequent exercise intensity and maximal oxygen uptake. The investigators will evaluate different measures of vascular function (Pulse-wave velocity, Flow-mediated slowing, microvascular function) before and after each condition. The study will involve two groups of participants: healthy individuals and prehypertensive individuals. The investigators aim to establish the reliability and validity of less-established methods of vascular function assessment (flow-mediated slowing and microvascular function) against established measures (pulse-wave velocity). The acute response of vascular function to different exercise intensities has not yet been thoroughly researched using the aforementioned measures in individuals with similar characteristics to the proposed study cohort.