Effect of Raised Head of the Bed on Lying Blood Pressure in Autonomic Failure

Description

Many persons with autonomic failure often have high blood pressure when lying down (supine hypertension). This study is exploring the impact of decreased venous return to the heart (achieved by raising the head of the bed) to lessen supine blood pressure. If decreased venous return to the heart is effective at lowering supine blood pressure, these approaches may be utilized to treat supine hypertension non-pharmacologically. Raising the head of the bed decreases the amount of blood returning to the heart due to the effects of gravity. In this case, the decreased blood return to the heart may decrease blood pressure.

Conditions

Supine Hypertension, Autonomic Failure

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Many persons with autonomic failure often have high blood pressure when lying down (supine hypertension). This study is exploring the impact of decreased venous return to the heart (achieved by raising the head of the bed) to lessen supine blood pressure. If decreased venous return to the heart is effective at lowering supine blood pressure, these approaches may be utilized to treat supine hypertension non-pharmacologically. Raising the head of the bed decreases the amount of blood returning to the heart due to the effects of gravity. In this case, the decreased blood return to the heart may decrease blood pressure.

Impact of Decreased Venous Return on Supine Blood Pressure

Effect of Raised Head of the Bed on Lying Blood Pressure in Autonomic Failure

Condition
Supine Hypertension
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Nashville

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Patients with autonomic failure and with supine hypertension from all races
  • * Males and females, between 18 to 85 years
  • * All medical students
  • * Pregnant women
  • * High-risk patients (for example: heart failure, symptomatic coronary artery disease, liver impairment, history of stroke or myocardial infarction)
  • * History of serious allergies or asthma.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Vanderbilt University Medical Center,

Italo Biaggioni, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31