
Transesophageal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Conjunction With Lipid Lowering Measures
Heart DiseasesThis research is being done to investigate the ability of an experimental imaging method - transesophageal magnetic resonance imaging (TEMRI), to detect the change in aortic atherosclerotic plaque burden and morphology between patients on high dose cholesterol lowering medications and patients on standard dose cholesterol lowering medications. This study will use TEMRI to see how atherosclerosis (cholesterol build up) changes with cholesterol lowering medications. This study will also investigate whether these cholesterol-lowering medications will change levels of blood tests, called inflammatory markers, in patients' blood. People with atherosclerosis may join this study. This study will also store blood samples for future studies of cardiac diseases; no gene testing will be done.

Effectiveness of the DASH Diet at Reducing High Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular DiseasesHypertension1 moreThe purpose of this study is to test the effects of the DASH diet in patients with isolated systolic hypertension.

Effects of Black Tea on Cardiovascular Disease in the Mauritian Population
Cardiac DiseaseIt is proposed to investigate the association between consumption of black tea and various selective fasting blood serum and urine biomarkers in a Mauritian population with ischaemic heart diseases. This study, the first of its kind, will provide clinical data on the potential prophylactic propensities of Mauritian black tea against cardiovascular disease, which remains one of the major health threats to the Mauritian population.

Preventing Weight Gain and Controlling Blood Pressure During Smoking Cessation in Hypertensive Smokers...
Cardiovascular DiseasesHeart Diseases1 moreThe purpose of this study is to develop effective interventions that assist individuals with high blood pressure to quit smoking and prevent weight gain.

Preventing Obesity Using Novel Dietary Strategies
Cardiovascular DiseasesHeart Diseases1 moreThe purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness for weight loss and weight maintenance of four diets differing in macronutrient composition: moderate in fat (40 percent energy) with two different protein levels (15 percent and 25 percent), and low in fat (20 percent energy), also with 15 percent and 25 percent protein levels. The study is only accepting participants in the Boston, Massachusetts or Baton Rouge, Louisiana area. For further enrollment information in Boston or Baton Rouge, see Eligibility Criteria or Design Narrative.

Dobutamine Echocardiography In Patients With Ischemic Heart Failure Evaluated for Revascularization...
Cardiovascular DiseasesCoronary Disease4 moreTo define the role of the assessment of myocardial viability with dobutamine echocardiography (DE) in the clinical evaluation and selection of the best treatment for a high-risk subset of patients with coronary artery disease.

ACE Inhibition and Novel Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Cardiovascular DiseasesHeart Diseases1 moreTo determine the effects of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor), fosinopril, on multiple blood markers in 286 adults at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Calcium for Pre-Eclampsia Prevention (CPEP)
Cardiovascular DiseasesEclampsia6 moreTo evaluate the efficacy of 2 grams per day of oral calcium supplementation in reducing the combined incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and the HELLP Syndrome (hypertension, thrombocytopenia, hemolysis, and abnormal liver function). The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) initiated the trial in 1991, with joint funding provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in fiscal years 1992, 1993, and 1995.

Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE)
Angina PectorisCardiovascular Diseases3 moreTo evaluate innovative diagnostic methods that will improve the diagnostic reliability of cardiovascular testing in evaluation of ischemic heart disease in women. Innovative approaches proposed include physiologic or functional measurements such as impaired metabolism, perfusion, or endothelial function as well as assessment of epicardial coronary arteries by angiography. Other objectives include developing safe, accurate, and cost effective diagnostic approaches for evaluating women with suspected ischemic heart disease, and determining the frequency of myocardial ischemia in the absence of significant epicardial coronary stenosis, as well as the frequency of non-ischemic or non-cardiac chest pain. A key aspect of the WISE study is to determine whether evidence of myocardial ischemia occurs in the absence of obstructive coronary disease.

NHLBI Type II Coronary Intervention Study
Cardiovascular DiseasesCoronary Disease5 moreTo determine whether lowering of cholesterol with cholestyramine in a population with Type II hyperlipidemia led to a decreased rate of progression (a regression of coronary artery disease) as demonstrated by death, myocardial infarction, or progression of disease on angiography.