Heather Edgell

Faculty & School/Dept.

Faculty of Health - School of Kinesiology & Health Science

Degrees

B.Sc. Honours (Biology) - 1999
University of Alberta
Edmonton

M.Sc. (Cell Biology) - 2001
University of Alberta
Edmonton

Ph.D. (Kinesiology) - 2010
University of Waterloo
Waterloo

Postdoctoral Fellow - 2011
Western University
London

Postdoctoral Fellow - 2013
University of Alberta
Edmonton

Selected Publications

1. Edgell H, Pereira TJ, Kerr K, Bray R, Tabassum F, Sergio L, and Badhwar S (2025). Inspiratory muscle training improves autonomic function in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: a pilot study.  Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 


2. Ramraj O, Badhwar S, Pereira TJ, and Edgell H (2024) Pilot assessment of piezoelectric transducers as a cost-effective alternative to EndoPAT. J Vas Res 61(5): 252-259


3. Pereira TJ and Edgell H (2024) The influence of oral contraceptives on the exercise pressor reflex in the upper and lower body. Physiol Rep 12(13): e16144


4. Bouakkar J, Pereira TJ, Johnston H, Pakosh M, Drake JDM, and Edgell H (2024) Sex differences in the physiological responses to cardiac rehabilitation: a systematic review. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 16(1): 74


5. Pereira TJ, Bouakkar J, Johnston H, Pakosh M, Drake JDM, and Edgell H (2023) The effects of oral contraceptives on resting autonomic function and the autonomic response to physiological stressors: a systematic review. Clin Auton Res 33(6): 859-892


6. Barranca C, Pereira TJ, and Edgel H (2023) Oral contraceptive use amdn menstrual cycle influence acute cerebrovascular response to standing. Auton Neurosci 244: 103054


7. Pereira TJ, Wasef S, Ivry I, Assadpour E, Adeyinnka BO, and Edgell H (2022) Menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives influence cerebrovascular dynamics during hypercapnia. Physiol Rep 10(13):e15373


8. Habib K, Fallah B, and Edgell H (2022) Effect of upright poster on endothelial function in women and men. Front Physiol 13: 846229


9. Nardone M, Miner S, MCarthy M, and Edgell H (2021) Standard exercise stress testing attenuates peripheral mcirovascular function in patients with suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 13(1): 18


10. Tanbakouie N, Habib K, and Edgell H (2021) Orthostatic responses in Caucasian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern women. Clin Auton Res 31(1): 131-133


11. Murray KR, Wasef S, and Edgell H (2021) Vntilatory response to hypercapnia is increased after 4 h of head down bed rest. Sci Rep 11(1):2162


12. Robertson AD, Papadhima I, and Edgell H (2020) Sex differences in the autonomic and cerebrovascular responses to upright tilt. Auton Neurosci 229: 102742


13. Assadpour A, Ivry I, Wasef S, Adeyinka B, Murray KR, and Edgell H (2020) Oral contraceptives and menstrual cycle influence autonomic reflex function. Physiol Rep 8(17): e14550


14. Nardone M, Guzman J, Harvey PJ, Floras JS, and Edgell H (2020) Effect of a neck compression collar on cardiorespirtory and cerebrovascular function in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndorme (POTS). J Appl Physiol 128(4): 907-913


15. Nardone M, Miner S, McCarthy M, Ardern C, and Edgell H (2020) Non-invasive microvascular indices reveal peripheral vascular abnormalities in patients with suspected microvascular dysfunction. Accepted by Canadian Journal of Cardiology.


16. Joshi H, Hynes LM, and Edgell H (2019) Influence of a neck compression collar on cerebrovascular and autonomic function in men and women. PLoS One 14(12):e0225868


17. Joshi H and Edgell H (2019) Sex differences in the ventilatory and cardiovascular response to spuine and tilted metaboreflex activation. Physiol Rep 7(6): e14041


18. Fouladi B, Joshi H, and Edgell H (2019) Cardiovascular and autonomic responses to passive arm or leg movement in men and women. Eur J Appl Physiol 119(2): 551-559


19. Edgell H, Grinberg A, Beavers KB, Gagne N, and Hughson RL (2018) Efficacy of fluid loading as a countermeasure to the hemodynamic and hormonal changes of 28-h head-down bed rest. Physiol Rep 6(19): e13874


20. Hazlett C and Edgell H (2018) Chemoreflex function and brain blood flow during upright posture in men and women. Physiological reports Jan;6(1). doi: 10.14814/phy2.13571.


21. Nili M, Abidi S, Serna S, Kim S, and Edgell H (2017) Influence of sex, menstrual cycle, and oral contraceptives on the cerebrovascular response to paced deep breathing. Clin Auton Res 27(6):411-415.


22. Abidi S, Nili M, Serna S, Kim S, Hazlett C, and Edgell H (2017) Influence of sex, menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on cerebrovascular resistance and cardiorespiratory function during Valsalva or standing. J Appl Physiol 123(2): 375-386. 

Affiliations

Sunnybrook Hospital
External Collaborator

University Health Network
Visiting Scientist

Supervision

Currently available to supervise graduate students: Yes

Currently taking on work-study students, Graduate Assistants or Volunteers: No

Available to supervise undergraduate thesis projects: No

Current Research

The Edgell lab at York University investigates human cardiovascular and autonomic function to determine physiological mechanisms behind the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in women (with a high level of interest in orthostatic intolerance). Further, I aim to investigate potential innovative avenues of treatment.  

We are also embarking on important research with 1) Sunnybrook Health Centre investigating cardiac rehabilitation in male and female Type 2 Diabetes patients, and 2) Mount Sinai Hospital investigating the relationship between cardiac and brain blood flow function in upright posture.