View clinical trials related to Cardiovascular Disease.
Filter by:Background: - Heart disease is the leading cause of death and disabilities in the United States. Diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of heart disease. Fruits, including red tart cherries and purple aroniaberries, may be especially beneficial. Researchers want to know how tart cherry and aroniaberry extracts affect heart health. Objective: - To study the benefits of tart cherry and aroniaberry extract on vascular function and other measures. These include inflammation, oxidation, and cholesterol. Eligibility: - Men and post-menopausal women ages 55 70 in good health and with normal or slightly high blood pressure or cholesterol. Design: - Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood tests. - Participants will have 6 visits. They will have blood taken at every visit. - Visit 1: - Blood vessel tests. Participants will lie down. Heart rhythm will be monitored. A device will be placed on the upper arm, and pictures of blood vessels will be taken. - A blood pressure cuff will be tightened around the lower arm for 5 minutes. - Cardio-Ankle-Vascular Index (CAVI). Blood pressure cuffs will be placed on both arms and legs. They will be tightened with air at the same time for a few minutes. - Participants will be assigned to one of three groups. For 3 weeks each, in random order, they will take: aroniaberry capsules, tart cherry capsules, placebo capsules, and no capsules. - Participants will answer questions online about their eating and exercise. - Participants will be keep a record of what they eat for a few periods. They will come for a study visit every 3 weeks through week 15.
The primary objective of this pilot study will be to examine the effects of consuming whole grains, differing in the degree of processing, on insulin sensitivity and other cardiometabolic risk factors. The overall aim will be to assess feasibility of the test diets and to generate preliminary data.
The availability of data on plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in the last two rounds of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has generated a high level of interest in the consequences of 25(OH)D deficiency and in particular its potential impact on black Americans. Fundamental new questions about the biology of vitamin D have now come to the fore. Are low 25(OH)D-intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels a physiologic "abnormality" in African Americans or does the 25(OH)D-iPTH system have sufficient plasticity to adapt to low sunlight exposure? Could the low 25(OH)D levels which result from the "gene- environment discordance" observed in dark skinned populations in the US be a risk factor for metabolic disorders? Ultimately, the public health community and regulatory bodies must offer recommendations for optimal levels and supplementation. The investigators propose to utilize cohorts from an ongoing NIH-funded study designed to identify determinants of weight change and cardiovascular disease risk in five Afro-origin populations [Modeling the Epidemiologic Transition Study (METS)] to examine these questions. The five METS countries include Ghana, Seychelles, South Africa, Jamaica and the US; the five populations differ greatly in terms of sun exposure and dietary intakes. In addition to the extensive energy expenditure, dietary intake and obesity-related metabolic markers being measured in METS, the investigators propose to assess plasma 25(OH)D, iPTH, serum and urinary calcium, plasma markers of bone resorption and formation, and quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus. The associations of adiposity, weight change, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as blood pressure and insulin, and bone strength with 25(OH)D and iPTH will be assessed. The proposed study will provide a comprehensive assessment of the distribution and determinants of 25(OH)D-iPTH and related physiologic measures across a wide range of latitude and lifestyles. These data should contribute substantially to the understanding of the "normal" range within which these hormones function and their significance in Afro- origin populations.
The overall goal of this study is to improve cardiovascular outcomes in transplant recipients. The current standard immunosuppressive regimen in kidney transplant recipients depends on a higher exposure to the Calcineurin Inhibitor (CNI), and often a less than optimal dosage the of mycophenolic acid (MPA) derivative. The premise of this study is to investigate the effects of reversing this paradigm. More specifically, the effect of using maximum MPA dosages (in the form of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium [EC-MPS] or Myfortic®) along with judicious CNI exposure (cyclosporine/Neoral®) will be investigated.
The purpose of this study is to help the researchers understand if using a soy supplement impacts cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.
Background: - Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Eating fruits and vegetables with chemicals called flavonoids may protect against heart disease and improve blood flow to the heart. They are found in blackcurrant berries. Oils found in fish and mussels called omega-3 fats have also been shown to protect the heart. Researchers want to know if blackcurrant extract and omega-3 fats can improve blood flow, which may increase blood to the heart. They also want to learn about the health of blood vessels and how the heart works. Objective: - To learn if blackcurrant extract and omega-3 fats will improve blood flow and make the heart beat stronger. Eligibility: - Healthy adults 55 to 75 years old. Design: - Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam, and blood tests. - Visit 1 will take 6 7 hours. - Participants will have physical exam and blood and urine tests. - A small device like a microphone will be placed on their arm to take pictures of blood vessels. A blood pressure cuff will be tightened on their arm and more pictures will be taken. - Blood pressure cuffs will be placed on their arms and legs. They will be tightened at the same time and blood pressure will be measured. - Participants will answer questions about their eating and exercise. - Every 8 weeks, participants switch from taking blackcurrant and/or omega-3 tablets to a placebo to no tablets. <TAB> - Every 8 weeks, they will have another shorter clinic visit that will repeat most of visit 1.
The purpose of this study is to conduct a double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT), to determine if six month supplementation of olive oil can improve the health of the blood vessels and improve long term health of the heart and blood vessels, in patients requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
The purpose of this study is to determine if the inclusion of 1.5 ounces of pumpkin seeds per day in the diet of women will alter dietary fatty acid intake or blood pressure.
Saturated fat leading to elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is considered a cardiovascular risk factor. The properties associated with α- cyclodextrin, allow it to selectively reduce saturated fat and calories which will have a medically beneficial effect on LDL cholesterol and obesity. The purpose of the research is to evaluate this effect of α- cyclodextrin. It is hypothesized that alpha cyclodextrin supplementation will increase fecal fat on a high saturated fat diet compared to the same diet supplemented with a digestible carbohydrate control
Medications that lower blood pressure and cholesterol are known to improve the shape and function of our blood vessels. These improvements include a reduction in the thickness of the wall of the carotid artery (the main artery that runs up the neck to supply the brain) and a reduction in the stiffness of arteries generally including the main central artery -the aorta. Such medications are in the polypill (the Red Heart Pill) that is being used in the UMPIRE Study. In UMPIRE, patients' reported adherence to taking the single, once daily polypill is being compared to adherence to medications taken as separate tablets (usual care).The aim of the PESCA sub-study is to see whether or not the polypill differs from 'usual care' in its direct effects on blood vessels as shown by ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries and assessment of central (aortic) blood pressure.