292 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The study aims to explore how cardiovascular function changes in the first year after a spinal cord injury, and to see how different treatments, like spinal stimulation through the skin (transcutaneous spinal stimulation), affect blood pressure. The main questions are: How does stimulation affect blood pressure over the year? What is the level of cardiovascular activation throughout the year? The study will start during the inpatient stay at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and continue after discharge as an outpatient, totaling about 20-29 sessions over the year.
The goal of this single-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial is to test the effects of an oral ketone supplement on appetite, cognition, metabolism, and cardiovascular function in individuals with obesity and insulin resistance. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * Does taking the ketone supplement reduce appetite and improve cognition? * How does the ketone supplement alter metabolism and cardiovascular function? Participants will be asked to consume a randomly assigned ketone ester supplement or a placebo and testing will be done to see how the supplement affects the following compared to a placebo: * appetite, * cognition, * metabolism * cardiovascular function Researchers will compare individuals with obesity and insulin resistance to individuals with normal weight and no insulin resistance to see if the ketone supplement affects groups differently.
Low dose ketamine is used for pain management and for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Prior studies on low dose ketamine have noted short-term (minutes to hours) increases or decreases in blood pressure. Blood pressure that is too high or too low can be problematic if untreated. It is unknown exactly how low dose ketamine affects blood pressure. In fact, no prior studies have measured sympathetic nervous system activity after low dose ketamine has been given to an adult. Because sympathetic nervous system activity has a large influence on blood pressure, we need to know how exactly low dose ketamine affects these body systems. Therefore, in this research we will study how low dose ketamine affects sympathetic nervous system activity and cardiovascular function. The results from this research will inform doctors about how low dose ketamine affects the sympathetic nervous system, heart, and blood vessels.
1. Statement of the research question: Does the caffeine in energy drinks interact with other ingredients to affect cardiovascular function in healthy male and female adults after exercise? 2. Purpose and significance of the study: Energy drinks are beverages promoted to enhance alertness along with athletic and cognitive performance. The most common ingredients found in energy drinks include water, sugar, caffeine, taurine, and B-vitamins, with variable inclusion of other ingredients, such as carnitine, glucuronolactone, inositol, guarana, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, thistle extract, and ginseng root extract. Since the mid-1990s, the consumption of energy drinks has grown dramatically, with worldwide sales in 2017 exceeding $49 billion. As the sale of energy drinks has grown, so has the number of adverse event case reports for patients who consumed energy drinks. Reported symptoms included cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac arrest. A few small clinical studies have found that energy drinks can increase systolic and diastolic blood pressure and change electrical activity in the heart as measured by an electrocardiogram (ECG). The intent of the proposed study is to determine whether caffeine or the combination of caffeine with taurine and L-carnitine can alter cardiovascular function. Hypothesis: The effects of the ingredients of energy drinks on the heart are mediated in part by interactions between caffeine, taurine and carnitine. The amount of each ingredient in the study was based upon the amount commonly contained in two cans of energy drinks currently on the market.
This is an interventional study that will examine how sedentary behavior (decreased physical inactivity) over time affects cardiovascular health (i.e. heart rate and blood pressure) and sleep quality/duration.
The aim of the current project is to understand the effect of dietary nitrates (via beet-root juice), on its ability to improve parameters of cardiovascular health in cancer survivors with a history of anthracycline chemotherapy.
An observational, prospective study to describe the rates and predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with acute leukemia.
Postmenopausal women have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease than age-match men. Growing evidence from rat studies have demonstrated CV-protective effects of pumpkin seed oil (PSO). The investigators hypothesis is that PSO would improve CV health in postmenopausal women.
Women who enter menopause early are at a greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life as compared to women with normal onset of menopause. This increased risk may be due to a prolonged length of time with decreased hormone levels post-menopause; however, this health risk remains understudied. The current study plan to study why women with early menopause are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease by evaluating their sympathetic nervous system and heart-blood vessel function. In addition, there is lack of promising treatment plans for cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women. Therefore, the current study will also test the impact of dietary nitrate on post-menopausal women to determine if it might serve as a potential treatment to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease in older women.
In this pilot study, the investigators will determine whether supplementation with a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant (Mitoquinone (MitoQ)) improves mitochondrial function, left ventricular diastolic and vascular function.
The aim of this project is to determine whether androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) decreases left ventricular function in prostate cancer patients. If found successful, this may lead to improved cardiovascular health via treatment and/or lifestyle interventions in prostate cancer populations.
This study will assess the short term effects of a single dose of liothyronine on the cardiovascular system and energy expenditure
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of cycling at mild to moderate intensity during hemodialysis treatment on cardiovascular function in a crossover design.
Arterial dysfunction contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is currently afflicting millions of individuals. The use of the amino acid L-citrulline has been suggested as a potential aid for the treatment of CVD by increasing endothelial production of Nitric Oxide (NO). Whole body vibration (WBV) is new and effective form of exercise that is feasible for clinical populations and has been proven to decrease blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness and increase muscle mass and strength. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate if the combination of WBV training (WBVT) plus L-citrulline supplementation would induce positive additive effects and would be an effective means to ameliorate arterial stiffness, endothelial function, BP and muscle strength/mass in postmenopausal women.
We propose to demonstrate that epidural stimulation (ES) can be used to recover significant levels of autonomic control of cardiovascular and respiratory function as well as the ability to voluntarily control leg movements below the injury level. This intervention would provide an immediate therapeutic alternative to individuals who now have no recourse for treatment.
Study objectives: 1. To compare cardiovascular function in older compared to young healthy adults. 2. To compare the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic interval training vs. continuous moderate exercise on cardiovascular function in healthy older adults. Hypotheses: 1. Compared to young adults, older adults will have lower cardiovascular function. 2. Compared to continuous moderate intensity exercise training, interval training will be more effective in improving cardiovascular function in older adults.
The study objectives are: 1. To compare cardiovascular function in type 2 diabetes patients vs. healthy controls. 2. To compare the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic interval training versus continuous moderate exercise on cardiovascular function in adults with type 2 diabetes. 3. To examine the mechanisms underlying the exercise-related changes in cardiovascular function. The investigators hypothesize that compared to continuous moderate intensity exercise training, interval training will be more effective in improving cardiovascular function in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Of those who are affected by stroke, a third becomes permanently disabled. Risk factors for stroke include, but are not limited to, advancing age, physical inactivity, arterial stiffness, and most commonly, high blood pressure. Stroke is a major form of a much boarder problem, cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is considered the primary cause of death in the US. Interestingly, increased arterial stiffness of elastic arteries (carotid and aorta) has been shown to be strongly correlated to CVD and stroke. Increased arterial stiffness is considered an independent risk for the development of CVD and stroke. Hence, arterial stiffness has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target for CVD and more specifically stroke. Recently, whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise has been proposed as a new and effective method to improve muscle mass and muscle strength in younger and older individuals. It is known that systemic arterial stiffness decreased 40 min after a single WBV session in healthy men. In our laboratory, we have shown that leg arterial stiffness decreases after a session of WBV. Taken together, this data seems to suggest WBV may be used as a viable way to decrease arterial stiffness. Special populations, such as post-stroke patients, may be unwilling or unable to perform WBV exercise so an inactive form of exercise (vibration) therapy is needed. Passive vibration (PV), allows patients to lie in an inactive, supine position, with their legs placed onto the vibration plate. This exposes the lower limbs to continuous vibration without performing voluntary muscle contraction. PV has been shown to increase skin blood flow on the vibrated extremity through vasodilation in healthy individuals and type 2 diabetics. Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that a 10-min session of PV on the legs decreases augmentation index (AIx) , a marker of pressure wave reflection, as well as leg and systemic PWV through decreases in local peripheral resistance in young men. However, the effects of PV on arterial function in post-stroke patients are unknown. It is hypothesized that post-stroke patients will demonstrate a decrease in leg PWV and central AIx. However, greater responses are expected with the lower vibration frequency.
Diabetes is increasingly common among youth, forecasting early complications. Type 1 (T1D) cause early heart disease, shortening lifespan despite modern improvements in control of blood sugars and other risk factors for heart disease. Poor insulin action, otherwise known as insulin resistance (IR), is the main factor causing heart disease in type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the cause of increased heart disease in T1D is unclear. IR may contribute to heart disease in T1D as in T2D, as the investigators and others have found the presence of IR in T1D. Much less is known about IR in T1D, but a better understanding of its role in T1D is critical to understanding causes of heart disease in T1D. The investigators long-term goal is to understand the early causes of heart disease in diabetes so that we can prevent it. The investigators unique initial findings suggest that even reasonably well-controlled, normal weight, T1D youth are IR. The IR appears directly related to the heart, blood vessel, and exercise defects, but in a pattern that appears very different from T2D. The goals of this study are to determine the unique heart, blood vessel and insulin sensitivity abnormalities in T1D youth, and determine whether metformin improves these abnormalities. A clear understanding of these factors will help determine the causes, and what treatments could help each abnormality. Hypothesis 1: Metformin will improve insulin function and mitochondrial function in T1D. Hypothesis 2: Metformin will improve vascular and cardiac function in T1D. All measures will be performed twice, before and after a 3-month randomized, placebo-controlled design where subjects are randomized to either metformin or placebo. The independent impact of insulin action as well as glucose levels, BMI, T1D duration, and gender on baseline outcomes and the impact of changes in insulin action, glucose levels and BMI on response to metformin will also be examined to help customize future strategies to prevent heart disease in T1D. This study will advance the field by providing new information about the role of poor insulin action in the heart disease of T1D, and whether improving insulin action in T1D is helpful. If a focus on directly improving insulin action in T1D youth is supported by our studies, the clinical approach to T1D management may significantly change.
Many individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have breathing problems during sleep. This is called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). OSAS is very common in individuals with Down syndrome because of the shape of their face and tongue and because of their low muscle tone. OSAS can cause a lot of health problems including behavioral and learning problems as well as heart problems. The purpose of this research study is to look at the effects of treating OSAS in individuals with Down syndrome with a machine called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). The investigators want to see if treatment of OSAS improves learning, behavior and heart problems.
Groups of naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids are found in foods such as fruits and vegetables, red wine, tea, dark chocolate and cocoa products. Diets rich in flavonoids are associated with decreased risk for cardiovascular disease and major cardiovascular events (i.e. myocardial infarction) and have been shown to improve blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and vascular function in a variety populations (Type II diabetes, elderly, smokers, etc.). The presumed beneficial effects of these compounds are thought to act through their inherent ability to scavenge free radicals. Specifically flavonoids scavenge superoxide anions which are free radicals that react with nitric oxide (NO) to produce peroxynitrite. The formation of peroxynitrite ultimately reduces the bioavailability of NO which is essential for vasodilation and thus vascular health and function. Normal aging is associated with impaired endothelial function, which presumably is due to less than optimal levels of NO bioavailability. Therefore, interventions that can increase NO bioavailability would be expected to improve microvascular function and vascular health in this population. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary flavonoid supplementation on the vasodilatory capacity of the cutaneous vasculature, as well as on cerebral vascular reactivity and arterial stiffness in young and old humans. This study will test the hypothesis that acute dietary flavonoid treatment will improve impaired cutaneous vasodilatory capacity, cerebral vasomotor reactivity, and reduce arterial stiffness in older but not young humans.
We propose to examine a population of Native Americans who have had little or no dental care, and to determine if periodontal disease is associated with early signs of vascular dysfunction or systemic inflammation. We then propose to treat the periodontitis and re-evaluate vascular function. We will determine if gingivitis or mild/moderate periodontitis is associated with detectable vascular dysfunction. Microbial metagenomics will be correlated with vascular function.
This study is being conducted to evaluate changes in sugar, metabolism, heart function and changes in body composition as patients lose weight following bariatric surgery. The investigators will compare improvements of the above changes as a function of the four different types of bariatric surgery. The investigators believe the most beneficial and safest procedure will be the Roux-en-Y.
This study will examine the individual and combined effects of Coreg CR and lisinopril, on cardiovascular health as measured by Rasmussen Disease Score (RDS) in a blinded, placebo controlled comparison over a 9-month study period. Patients to be randomized will have pre-hypertensive blood pressures that do not require anti-hypertensive therapy and at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor.
The goal of this clinical trial is to characterize blood vessel function and oxidative stress (a harmful condition that damages cells and tissues) in emergency medical technicians (EMTs). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does an overnight shift work in emergency medical technicians reduce blood vessel function and increase oxidative stress? 2. Can supplementing with antioxidants help reduce the negative effects of night shift work in emergency medical technicians? Researchers will compare antioxidants to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if antioxidants work in reducing the negative effects of night shift work in emergency medical technicians. Participants will: 1. Report to the lab two separate times following an overnight shift to assess blood vessel functioning and oxidative stress 3. Take an antioxidant supplement or placebo during each night of shift work.
The optimal recovery duration depends on the intensity of exercise and in the present study the intensity was maximal power for 4-s while cycling an 'Inertial Load' ergometer (ILE). Recovery duration of 15, 30 and 45-s were given between 30 successive sprints.
Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important non-invasive tool to study and diagnose cardiovascular disease. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create pictures of body organs. Researchers want to find better MRI methods and new ways of imaging cardiovascular disease and better understand normal and abnormal cardiovascular and brain function. Researchers are also interested in seeing if gadolinium, the commonly used MRI contrast agent, stays in the body long after the MRI was performed. Objectives: To develop new methods for imaging the heart and other organs of the body. To describe cardiovascular diseases using newer MRI methods To look at the relationship between cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors and other organ systems To look for gadolinium deposits in the brain from prior exams. Eligibility: Healthy people and people with known or suspected cardiovascular disease ages 7 and older may be eligible for this study. Researchers may be particularly interested in those who: * Have suspected or known cardiovascular disease * Were previously exposed to a gadolinium-based contrast agent, * Need to have a heart MRI scheduled * Need a test of the heart or other body part or will be undergoing a future cardiac catheterization Design: There are multiple arms to the study with optional components; therefore, there are multiple variations as to what an individual participant s experience may involve. Participants will have an MRI scan lasting up to 2 hours. The scanner is a large hollow tube. During the scan, there may be loud knocking and buzzing sounds caused by the scanner. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the tube. Their vital signs may be monitored. Participants may have a test of heart electrical activity using wires connected to pads on the skin. Participants may have blood drawn. Participants may be injected with an MRI contrast agent through a plastic tube inserted in the arm.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represent major public health concerns in the aging Hispanic community. Tirzepatide, a novel dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist recently approved for the treatment of T2DM and obesity has been shown to be effective at reducing weight, improving markers of T2DM control, and improving cardiovascular health. Utilization of tirzepatide in the Hispanic community has been on the rise since FDA approval was issued, however the effects of tirzepatide use on functional outcomes in older Hispanic adults with obesity are not well established. Recent studies show that weight loss caused by tirzepatide may be driven by substantial loss of lean muscle mass, which may contribute to weakness and frailty, particularly among older adults. The proposed pilot study aims to evaluate how treatment with tirzepatide for 6 months affects muscle mass and function among older Hispanic adults, and if changes in muscle mass are linked to changes in functional status over the same time period.
The primary goal of this intervention is to determine the efficacy of acute mitochondrial-specific antioxidants to improve vascular endothelial function in middle-aged and older (≥45 y) adults who do no perform regular aerobic exercise. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design participants with receive both MitoQ and placebo arm of the study. Primary endpoints will include vascular endothelial function assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and cardiac function assessed via pulse wave analysis. Secondary endpoints will include measures of aortic stiffness assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and carotid artery stiffness (e.g. β-stiffness) and elasticity (carotid compliance, distensibility, and Youngs elastic modulus) from ultrasonography.
High-resistance, short-duration inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) is a novel lifestyle intervention involving 30 inhalations against a resistive load which requires only \~5 min/day and is thus ideal for youth with T2D (Y-T2D). We seek to 1: assess changes in casual and 24-hr SBP, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness after 3 months of IMST vs. sham training in Y-T2D, 2: Define changes in eGFR andalbuminuria after 3 months of IMST vs. sham in Y-T2D, 3: Interrogate mechanisms of IMST by translational assessments of NO bioavailability, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activation, and ROS/oxidative stress, and determine the role of circulating factors.