Speckle Plethysmography Pulse Transit Time as a Marker of Blood Pressure Changes

Description

Background: Blood pressure is one of the key markers of cardiovascular health. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can increase the risk of heart disease or stroke. Monitoring a person s blood pressure continuously over a 24-hour period at home is the best way to diagnose hypertension, but the equipment currently used to do it is cumbersome. This natural history study will test a new technique for monitoring blood pressure continuously over time. Objective: To test a new technique (speckle plethysmography) for measuring blood pressure in healthy adults. Eligibility: Healthy people aged 18 years and older. Design: Participants will come to the clinic a minimum of 2 times. The screening visit will last up to 2 hours. Participants will have a physical exam. Their vital signs will be taken. The clinical visit will last up to 1 hour. Participants will recline in a chair. Sensors to measure the activity of the heart will be placed on their chest. Different sensors will be placed on two fingers and one big toe. A device to measure blood pressure will be placed on one arm. While wearing the sensors, participants will undergo 3 tests: They will be asked to breathe slowly for 2 minutes. They will be asked to solve a math problem. They will immerse one hand or foot into an ice bath for up to 2 minutes. Each test will be followed by a 5-minute recovery period. Participants may elect to return for up to 3 more visits during the following week.

Conditions

Blood Pressure

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Background: Blood pressure is one of the key markers of cardiovascular health. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can increase the risk of heart disease or stroke. Monitoring a person s blood pressure continuously over a 24-hour period at home is the best way to diagnose hypertension, but the equipment currently used to do it is cumbersome. This natural history study will test a new technique for monitoring blood pressure continuously over time. Objective: To test a new technique (speckle plethysmography) for measuring blood pressure in healthy adults. Eligibility: Healthy people aged 18 years and older. Design: Participants will come to the clinic a minimum of 2 times. The screening visit will last up to 2 hours. Participants will have a physical exam. Their vital signs will be taken. The clinical visit will last up to 1 hour. Participants will recline in a chair. Sensors to measure the activity of the heart will be placed on their chest. Different sensors will be placed on two fingers and one big toe. A device to measure blood pressure will be placed on one arm. While wearing the sensors, participants will undergo 3 tests: They will be asked to breathe slowly for 2 minutes. They will be asked to solve a math problem. They will immerse one hand or foot into an ice bath for up to 2 minutes. Each test will be followed by a 5-minute recovery period. Participants may elect to return for up to 3 more visits during the following week.

Speckle Plethysmography Pulse Transit Time as a Marker of Blood Pressure Changes

Speckle Plethysmography Pulse Transit Time as a Marker of Blood Pressure Changes

Condition
Blood Pressure
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Bethesda

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

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

  • * Male or female, aged 18 or greater.
  • * In good general health as evidenced by medical history and physical.
  • * Any active cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders or use of vasoactive medications.
  • * History of aneurysm or stroke.
  • * Pregnant by history.
  • * History of fainting or seizures.
  • * An open cut, sore, or bone fracture on or near the hands or feet.
  • * Known retinopathy, intraocular lens implantation, or glaucoma.
  • * Any other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would place the participant at unacceptable risk.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 99 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD),

Bruce J Tromberg, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Study Record Dates

2026-04-30