Active clinical trials for "Hypertension"

The aim of the study is to test the following hypotheses: that the function and/or regulation of AQP2 and/or ENaC in the principal cells is abnormal in essential hypertension. if an abnormal function of the principal cells is present in essential hypertension, this will become more pronounced at high and low sodium intake.

Hypertension and diabetes are among the most common chronic diseases in the United States. Racial and ethnic minority groups are more at risk for these diseases than the Caucasian population. This study will attempt to identify factors that contribute to racial and ethnic differences in hypertension and diabetes care among minority patients of community health centers (CHCs). This information will be used to design and implement programs to improve quality of care in these communities.

The purpose of this study is to improve hypertension outcomes in racial and ethnic minorities.

To determine the role of the angiotensinogen gene in human hypertension.

Hypertension is one of the most common medical problems in the United States and in the VA health care system. It has been well-documented that hypertension can be effectively treated. However, there remain important unresolved clinical questions in the area of antihypertensive treatment. For example, how much is mortality affected by visit compliance, blood pressure control and type of antihypertensive agent? Or, are some regimens associated with more morbidity than others? Or, are there inexpensive regimens that are as effective as more expensive regimens? The amount of data that is available from this demonstration project (currently 6,100 patients) will help address these questions. The answers to these questions should result in better care for veterans with hypertension.

A layer of cells called the endothelium line the walls of blood vessels. These cells produce substances that control the tone of blood vessels and thus control blood flow through the vessel. This regulating activity of the endothelium is dysfunctional in several diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol. Previous research has pointed toward a decrease in the action of nitric oxide (NO) as the cause of this abnormality. Nitric oxide is a substance produced by the cells of the endothelium that plays a role in the relaxation of blood vessels. In this project researchers plan to study blood flow through the blood vessels in patients forearms after receiving four different drugs: sodium nitroprusside, acetylcholine, L-NMMA, and aspirin. These four drugs act on the blood vessels of the forearm through different mechanisms. Acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside are drugs that open the blood vessels of the forearm and increase blood flow through the vessel. L-NMMA is a drug that blocks production of nitric oxide (NO). Aspirin's role in controlling blood flow is unknown. Patients participating in this research study will not directly benefit from it. However, the study will contribute to researchers understanding of diseases of the blood vessels and heart.

Patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, and who are overweight are known to have defects in the way their body responds to insulin. The purpose of this study is to develop better methods for measuring the way body tissue responds to insulin and sugar (glucose). Researchers are planning to study four groups of patients. Normal volunteers Patients who have mild to moderate high blood pressure Patients who are overweight Patients who have mild to moderate diabetes controlled with oral medication In this study patients and volunteers will undergo two separate tests designed to determine how well insulin is working in the body. The first test is called a glucose clamp test. Patients will have two needles placed in the veins of their arms. One needle will be used to take blood samples, the other needle will be used to inject doses of sugar (glucose) and insulin. The second test is called the frequently sample intravenous glucose tolerance test. In this test patients will have sugar (glucose) injected into their veins followed by a slow injected dose (infusion) of insulin. Researchers will periodically take blood samples during the test. Patients participating in the study will not directly benefit from it. However, the information gained from this study may be useful for improving the diagnosis and therapy of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure (hypertension).

To determine the pathophysiology of different types of essential hypertension by identifying the discrete effects of major genes and environmental variables as determinants of the subtypes of essential hypertension.

To develop effective strategies for enhancing adherence to therapeutic interventions designed to improve care for hypertensive minority populations.

To analyze the association between an objective measure of "job strain" and risk of stroke, and change in ambulatory blood pressure.