Actively Recruiting
Arterial Stiffness and Blood Pressure
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2026-04-13
228
Participants Needed
3
Research Sites
191 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
V
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead Sponsor
V
VA Tennessee Valley Health Care System
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Hypertension is a common and treatable disorder that remains the leading preventable cause of heart disease. Blood pressure treatment relies mainly on upper arm blood pressure readings and ignores blood vessel physiology and underlying individual genetic information. Older Veterans with hypertension are less likely to be treated to goal blood pressure because there are conflicting recommendations for what constitutes "optimal" in older adults. The investigators have developed a novel way to non-invasively assess the components of blood vessel stiffness that is related to blood pressure (load-dependent stiffness). This project will generate new knowledge about how different blood pressure treatment goals (intensive vs standard) impact different components of arterial stiffness and if these differences can be explained through genetic analysis. Results from this project will offer the VA an updated blueprint for personalizing blood pressure care in older adults, ultimately improving cardiovascular health.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Arterial Stiffness and Blood Pressure
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male and female Veterans aged over 60 years from VA VISN 7, 9, and 12
- Diagnosis of hypertension or currently taking up to 4 antihypertensive medications
- Documented systolic blood pressure readings of 140 mmHg or higher on 2 or more office visits or an average home blood pressure of 135 mmHg
- Willingness to be randomized to intensive or standard blood pressure treatment and have medications adjusted per the study
- Willingness to undergo arterial stiffness testing and carotid artery ultrasound
You will not qualify if you...
- Indication for blood pressure medication not included in the study or known secondary cause of hypertension
- Standing systolic blood pressure below 110 mmHg
- Recent cardiovascular disease event within the past 12 months including coronary artery disease events, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or peripheral artery interventions
- Class I indication for beta-blocker use including atrial arrhythmias
- Left ventricular systolic function below 50% or moderate to severe aortic stenosis
- History of stroke
- Chronic kidney disease with eGFR below 30 mL/min/m2, proteinuria over 1 gram/day, or polycystic kidney disease
- Active cancer except untreated non-metastatic prostate cancer or non-melanoma skin cancer
- Hypoxemic pulmonary disease
- Active rheumatologic or connective tissue diseases
- Human immunodeficiency virus infection
- Infectious illness with fever over 38°C
- Hospitalization within the prior 4 weeks
- Arm circumference unsuitable for accurate blood pressure measurement
- Factors limiting study adherence such as substance abuse, plans to move within 12 months, or history of poor medication adherence or clinic no-shows
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 3 locations
1
Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35233-1927
Not Yet Recruiting
2
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Nashville Campus, Nashville, TN
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37212-2637
Enrolling by Invitation
3
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI
Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53705-2254
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Adam Gepner
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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