Search Results
Endometriosis and microvascular dysfunction 3
Endometriosis, is a disorder that occurs in women, is when tissue that should be normally found inside the womb is also found in sites outside of the womb. Endometriosis is a disorder that is associated with systemic inflammation. This disorder impairs the function of the endothelium, the cells that line the body’s blood vessels (endothelium). The endothelium helps to control blood flow in healthy vessels. Women with endometriosis not only have an increased risk for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, they also have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. With this study, we will learn how systemic inflammation in endometriosis impairs the lining of blood vessels and increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.We will use a short term intervention with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory to examine how inflammation impact endothelial function in women with endometriosis
There will be 4 in person visits, at all visits blood will be drawn. Two of the visits will be experimental visits where we will measure skin blood flow and blood flow in the brachial artery. Participants will be required to take a placebo or the drug salsalate for 4 days prior to each experimental visit.
$450
With and without Endometriosis
Pregnant and/or breastfeeding
Taking blood pressure medication
Known allergy to Salsalate
Pilot Study to Assess Medication Adherence, Health Literacy, and Technological Literacy among African Americans and Latinos with Hypertension
This pilot study aims explore the health literacy and medication adherence found among African Americans and Latinos with hypertension receiving care at Hamilton Health Center in Harrisburg PA. We also aim to determine the feasibility of the iPad or smartphone as a tool for accessing health related information among African American and Latino patients with hypertension receiving care at clinics at Hamilton Health Center in Harrisburg PA. The expected outcomes of this project are to obtain a better understand of the literacy levels and adherence behaviors of African Americans and Latinos in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights into the health management behaviors of this community and determine if there is a need to develop a mobile health application for the management of hypertension.
Prescribed medication for high blood pressure
African American/Black (Hispanic or Non-Hispanic) or White (Hispanic)
21 years and older
Able to speak and read English
Heart Rate Variability in Orthostatic Hypertension
The study will examine a condition known as orthostatic hypertension, which is a sudden increase in blood pressure when a person stands up. Orthostatic hypertension is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This project will also examine the differences in blood pressure responses to standing between African Americans and other races, since African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure than other races.
If you are eligible, you will be asked to complete the following activities in a single visit:• Lie down for 10 minutes while the team completes anelectrocardiogram (EKG) and blood pressure measurements• Stand up for 10 minutes while the team continues the EKGand blood pressure measurements
$25
Are capable of giving informed consent
Are of any race or ethnicity
Can stand for over 10 minutes
Are pregnant or nursing women
Have a history of low blood pressure with standing or passing out.
Cannot stand for 10 minutes
History of blood clots
Cardiovascular Effects of Angiotensin 1-7 in Obesity Hypertension
The purpose of this study is to see if the hormone angiotensin-(1-7) lowers blood pressure and sympathetic activity and improves the function of blood vessels and in obese subjects with hypertension.
This is an outpatient study that requires a screening visit, and if eligible, two study visits in the Clinical Research Center within the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The screening visit will take about one hour and includes a brief physical examination and medical history, a urine pregnancy test if female and of childbearing potential, measurement of heart rhythm, collection of blood samples, and measurements of body composition. If eligible based on the results of the screening visit, participants will be invited to participate in two study visits that are about four hours and are separated by at least one week. Participants will complete food recall and activity questionnaires prior to each study visit. A urine pregnancy test and ovulation test will be given for females of childbearing potential. Participants will lie down on a bed and a catheter will be placed in a vein in each arm to draw blood samples and to give study medications. Equipment will then be placed to measure heart rate, blood pressure, and the amount of oxygen in the blood. A blood pressure cuff on the arm will be inflated for up to five minutes to measure blood flow in the arm using ultrasound and blood samples will be collected. Small electrodes will then be inserted into a nerve and just under the skin on one leg to measure nerve activity, which will remain in place until the end of the study. Participants will then receive either angiotensin-(1-7) or normal saline through the catheter in the arm for up to 120 minutes. Angiotensin-(1-7) is a substance that the body produces naturally; however, in this form, it is considered experimental, which means the Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for this use. Participants will receive angiotensin-(1-7) at one study visit and normal saline at the other study visit. The treatments will be randomly assigned so that the order in which they receive each treatment will be determined purely by chance, and neither the participant nor study investigators will know which treatment is received at each study visit. Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen in the blood, and leg nerve activity will be measured continuously while giving angiotensin-(1-7) or normal saline. Near the end of treatment, blood flow in the arm will be measured again. At the end of the last dose, another blood sample will be taken. Participants will then be allowed to recover for at least 20 minutes and then all equipment will be removed. After the study visit, participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire if they had the nerve activity measurements, and a nurse will contact them to check on general well-being and answer any questions.
$25 per hour
Obesity (defined as body mass index between 30-40 kg/m2)
Hypertension (defined as seated blood pressure greater than 130/80 mmHg)
Able and willing to give informed consent
Fluent in written and spoken English
Current smokers
Type I or type II diabetes
History of major cardiovascular disease, immune or liver diseases, impaired renal or liver function
Morbid obesity (body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2)
Effects of heating on exercise pressor reflex in peripheral artery disease: Sympathetic Response
The purpose of this study is to examine if nervous system and blood pressure responses to exercise will be less with heat exposure in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and healthy controls.
free of acute medical conditions
any race or ethnicity
women or men
females who are pregnant or lactating
age < 21 years old
Crystalloid Liberal or Vasopressors Early Resuscitation in Sepsis
Restrictive (vs liberal) fluid treatment strategy during the first 24 hours of resuscitation for sepsis-induced hypotension will reduce 90-day in-hospital mortality.
Suspected or confirmed infection
Sepsis induced hypotension
> 3 L intravenous fluids
Pregnancy
Severe volume depletion
Immediate surgical intervention planned
Autonomic Control of the Circulation and the Venous Distension Reflex
This study is looking at how blood pressure control is altered by increased volume in veins.
Fluent in written and spoken English
Capable of giving informed consent
Free of acute or chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, neuromuscular disease, kidney disease, diabetes or cancer
Able to visit Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. for study visits
Pregnant or nursing
Currently using opioids or undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder
Living with a chronic disease such as hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, neuromuscular disease, kidney disease, diabetes or cancer
Visceral Pain Sensation and Nav1.8
We wish to investigate the role of a specific gene in visceral pain sensation and perception. This gene, Nav1.8 has a known change present in 10% of the population which may affect the way we feel inflammatory pain in the gut. This is an important symptom in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some patients feel high levels of pain we would like to control, other patients feel little to no pain in the presence of very active disease, which can lead to dangerously under-treated disease. In this study, we will use healthy volunteers as well as IBD patients, and test their sensitivity using rectal balloon dilation.Research subjects will be asked to fast, skipping solid foods and opaque liquids for 6 hours before the testing. Usually this means skipping 1 meal. At the beginning of the study visit. they will use an over the counter enema to clear their rectum of any stool. Healthy control subjects that have never had a colonoscopy before and all IBD patients will undergo a very brief proctoscopy to either verify rectal health or check for any IBD disease activity. Healthy controls that have had a prior colonoscopy within the last 5 years will skip that prior step. Then a trained physician on the research team will insert a thin, lubricated tube into the rectum, which will be inflated to specific pressures. Most of these tests will be designed to measure any change in sensation, then the need to use the toilet, followed by urgent need or discomfort, and lastly the lower threshold of pain. Test subjects will be able to stop testing at any time, should they become too uncomfortable. The testing takes between 1 and 1 and a half hours, and volunteers are compensated $200 for their time.
To simulate abdominal pain, we use a thin tube placed in the rectum that inflates a small balloon to very precise and safe pressures. Our bodies interpret these pressures (in ascending order) as the need to go to the bathroom; first just a little, then with increasing urgency and eventually discomfort and pain. During these experiments, we only measure the lower threshold of pain, and stop immediately when you tell us to stop. We have significant experience using this approach and we have found it consistently informative while causing the least amount of discomfort possible. The whole thing takes about an hour and we’re paying volunteers $200 for participating. We'll ask that you skip a meal before the study visit, and perform an over-the-counter enema at the start of the visit.
$200
UC and Crohn's patients: be willing to undergo a brief proctoscopy the day of the testing visit
Healthy controls: have had a colonoscopy in the last 5 years OR be willing to undergo a brief proctoscopy the day of the testing visit
Healthy control: any diagnosed lower GI disease (such as IBS or active diverticulitis) or significant abdominal pain in the last 12 months.
Any peripheral neuropathy or neuromodulating/opioid medications
Any Autoimmune disease (except Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
The effects of local negative pressure on forearm and skin blood flow in humans
This study continues our exploration into the mechanisms underlying the control of blood flow. During the experiments, we noninvasively measure skin blood flow (SkBF) and forearm blood flow (FBF) with a FLPI and venous occlusion plethysmography (VOP), respectively. The FLPI uses a low energy laser to measure SkBF. VOP uses blood pressure cuffs on the upper arm and wrist, and an elastic strain gauge encircling the forearm between the cuffs to measure the change in forearm-circumference over time from which we calculate FBF. For each experiment, we collect SkBF and FBF data for a 20-minute baseline, expose the skin of the forearms to negative pressure and then collect SkBF and FBF data for an additional 30-90 minutes. Each subject participates in 2 experiments that differ only in the protocol for the application of negative pressure (i.e. continuous, pulse).
•Individuals that use nicotine-containing products
Illicit or recreational drug-use
•Taking corticosteroids, anticoagulants, NSAIDS, or blood thinners
Pregnancy
Evaluating the consequences of mistimed light-emitting device use on cardiac activity and sleep health
The study is being done to find out whether wearing blue light-blocking glasses in the evening improves subsequent sleep. This is a 21-day study where participants will be asked to wear a sleep-monitoring “actiwatch”, an activity monitor, and a heart tracker, as well as to provide screenshots of their smartphone’s screen time app for three weeks. Participants will also be given the option to wear a blood pressure cuff on their arm for three days during the second half of each week, for a total of nine days.
Study participants will be asked to wear small devices on their wrist, hip, and shirt collar, and provide screenshots of their smartphone screen time app for three weeks. During the second and third weeks, participants will be asked to wear a pair of blue light-blocking glasses. Halfway through each week, participants will also be asked to wear a blood pressure monitor for 3 days/nights.There will be a total of seven in-person visits. At the first visit we will explain the study, ask interested participants to sign a consent form, collect information, and distribute study materials and devices. During all subsequent visits, participants will answer questionnaires and be provided additional study materials and devices.
150.00
Own an iOS smartphone (iPhone)
Willingness to update smartphone to access the current version of the Screen Time application
Willingness to participate in surveys, wear health monitoring devices, and provide screenshots of their smartphone’s screentime application throughout the entire study
Age 18 to 29 years old
Taking prescribed medications that affect sleep
Recent shift work
Sleep disorder diagnosis or any cardiovascular disease
Primarily use an Android smartphone
Effects of amiloride on walking ability in patients with peripheral artery disease
The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of amiloride on the blood pressure response to walking in PAD patients and healthy controls.
In each visit, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill. You will also be asked to take capsules prior to visit 2 and 3. The capsules for one visit will be a drug called amiloride (10mg, in 2 capsules with 5mg of amiloride in each capsule), which was traditionally used to lower blood pressure. The other capsules will be a placebo (no active medication). A blood sample will be drawn at each visit.
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
Any race or ethnicity
Healthy: Free of acute medical conditions
PAD: Diagnosis of PAD, no pain at rest
Resting blood pressure of 150/100 or higher
Already taking amiloride
Recent heart attack or epilepsy
Peripheral neuropathy
Effects of acid sensing ion channels blockade on the exercise pressor reflex following ischemia-reperfusion stress in healthy individuals
The purpose of this voluntary research study is to test if the drug amiloride can decrease blood pressure during exercise.
This project includes 3 visits to the research lab. Each visit last approximately 3.5-4 hours (~11-12 hours altogether). In each visit, you will be asked to perform foot exercise before and after a blood pressure cuff on your leg was inflated. You will also be asked to take pills prior to visit 2 and 3. One of these pills will be a drug called amiloride (10mg), which was traditionally used to lower blood pressure. The other pill will be a placebo (no active medication).
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
21-40 years of age
Healthy (absence of any active or chronic disease)
Pregnant or nursing women
Have a major disease (heart, lungs, kidney, diabetes, cancer)
current smoker
High blood pressure
fMRI based mapping of the supraspinal projections of the exercise pressor reflex
This study will examine how the brain controls blood pressure responses during exercise, and will include 2 separate visits. In one visit, you will perform a series of handgrip exercises followed by inflation of a blood pressure cuff while we collect muscle nerve activity and blood pressure. In the other two sessions you will perform a similar task while laying in an MRI machine.
healthy
able to perform handgrip execise
normal blood pressure
have metal implants
taking heart medication
pregnant/nursing
smoker
Postmenopausal women and their endothelium: Is dietary nitrate supplementation protective?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The loss of estrogen from menopause puts women at a greater risk of developing heart disease. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of drinking beetroot juice on measures of blood vessel health and blood pressure. Participants will drink beetroot juice and placebo juice each for one week followed by blood pressure measurements and ultrasound imaging of an artery in the upper arm. A sub-aim of this study is to investigate the effects of estrogen status on blood vessel function between pre- and post-menopausal women.
There are a total of 6 in-person visits to the Clinical Research Center. You will be asked to drink beetroot juice (2 oz) every day for 7 days. Participants will undergo vascular assessments, blood pressure measurements, and blood draws (11 in total for 6 visits).
$120
BMI <35
Blood pressure <130/80
LDL <170 mg/dL
Individuals with resting blood pressure > or = 130/80 mmHg
Users of any tobacco and/or nicotine products (smokers, chewing tobacco, nicotine-containing patches/gum, smokeless cigarettes)
Individuals with any overt cardiovascular, metabolic, hematologic, pulmonary, renal, musculoskeletal, and/or neurological disease(s)
Individuals with active cancer
Endometriosis and microvascular dysfunction
Endometriosis, is a disorder that occurs in women, is when tissue that should be normally found inside the womb is also found in sites outside of the womb. This disorder impairs the function of the endothelium, the cells that line the body’s blood vessels (endothelium). The endothelium helps to control blood flow in healthy vessels. Women with this disorder not only have an increased risk for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, they also have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. They have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, too. With this study, we will learn how endometriosis impairs the lining of blood vessels and increases the risk for disease. We will test two different intervention strategies to reduce long-term cardiovascular disease risk in women with endometriosis.
There will be 3 in person visits, blood draws will occur at all visits. On 2 of the visits blood flow experiments will be conducted. Participants will take oral medications.
390
Endometriosis
Pregnant and/or breastfeeding
Taking blood pressure medication
Effects of heating on exercise pressor reflex in peripheral artery disease: Exercise Ability
To determine if the sympathetic and blood pressure (BP) responses to exercise will be attenuated during and after heat exposure in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).
There will be up to 6 visits at the Hershey Medical Center.The visits involve walking on a treadmill, sitting in a warm or neutral temperature bath, wearing a heat suit, and having one or both of your legs in a warm bath.
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
all minorities and ethnicies included
free of acute or chronic medical conditions
over 21 years old
under 21 years old
Decisional impairment
Optimizing Maternal Nutrition: Adaptive trials and molecular methods to improve maternal and newborn health
Poor maternal nutrition is linked to poor birth outcomes. Current vitamin and mineral recommendations in pregnancy are based on limited data mostly from animal models and non-pregnant people. This study seeks to improve our understanding of the amounts of vitamins and minerals that are needed during pregnancy, to improve the health of women and newborns, especially in low-and middle-income countries. Nutrients travel around the body in blood, therefore part of the research is to understand how much blood and the watery component of blood (plasma) increases in pregnancy. This is a collaborative study with George Washington University (lead PI is there). The Penn State team will conduct pilot work to establish a method for measuring plasma volume in 2 phases. In phase 1, nonpregnant will be asked to attend one visit and plasma volume will be measured by injecting indocyanine-green (ICG, a green dye) and hydroxyethyl starch (HES, a form of starch) through an IV in the arm. In phase 2, pregnant women will be asked to attend 2 visits that are 4 weeks apart, but only HES (the starch) will be injected. For both phases (1 and 2), blood draws will occur at each visit and other non-invasive measurements will also be taken (e.g. weight, height, blood pressure). Each visit should take less than 2 hours and will be conducted at the Clinical Research Center in Noll Laboratory on the Penn State campus.
In phase 1, nonpregnant will be asked to attend one visit and plasma volume will be measured by injecting indocyanine-green (ICG, a green dye) and hydroxyethyl starch (HES, a form of starch) through an IV in the arm. In phase 2, pregnant women will be asked to attend 2 visits that are 4 weeks apart, but only HES (the starch) will be injected. For both phases (1 and 2), blood draws will occur at each visit and other non-invasive measurements will also be taken (e.g. weight, height, blood pressure). Each visit should take less than 2 hours and will be conducted at the Clinical Research Center in Noll Laboratory on the Penn State campus.
$50 per visit
Are generally healthy with normal blood pressure and BMI
Phase 1 - not pregnant
Phase 2 - are currently pregnant (22-32 weeks)
Currently have low or high blood pressure
Taking regular medication(s) prescribed by a physician
Phase 1 - pregnant or breastfeeding
Phase 2 - multiple/twin pregnancy
Prospective Evaluation of Carvedilol in Prevention of Cardiac Toxicity in Patients with Metastatic HER-2+ Breast Cancer, Phase III (PSCI# 20-135) (S1501)
The purpose of this study is to test whether carvedilol can reduce the occurrence of heart problems during your cancer treatment. Carvedilol (Coreg®) is a medication that is FDA approved and used to treat congestive heart failure and high blood pressure and is not a new medication. It has been shown in small studies to protect the heart from side effects of chemotherapies such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) and trastuzumab (Herceptin®). The effects of carvedilol will be compared to the usual approach. Previously, people who were already taking a beta blocker, angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor were able to take part in the study. The study has reached the maximum number of people allowed who are already on those treatments now, so, you must not be taking these types of drugs in order to be part of the study. There will be about 817 people taking part in this study.
The purpose of this study is to test whether carvedilol can reduce the occurrence of heart problems during your cancer treatment. Carvedilol (Coreg®) is a medication that is FDA approved and used to treat congestive heart failure and high blood pressure and is not a new medication. It has been shown in small studies to protect the heart from side effects of chemotherapies such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) and trastuzumab (Herceptin®). The effects of carvedilol will be compared to the usual approach. Previously, people who were already taking a beta blocker, angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor were able to take part in the study. The study has reached the maximum number of people allowed who are already on those treatments now, so, you must not be taking these types of drugs in order to be part of the study. There will be about 817 people taking part in this study.
Patients must be ≥ 18 years of age.
Patients must have a complete physical examination and medical history within 28 days prior to registration.
Patients must not be dialysis dependent
Patients must be able to swallow tablets.
Patients have uncontrolled asthma.
Patients who are pregnant or nursing
Patients who are unable to swallow tablets.
Patients who do not have adequate hepatic function
Effects of acid sensing ion channels blockade with amiloride on exercise pressor reflex in patients with peripheral artery disease
The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of amiloride on the blood pressure response during exercise, and exercise tolerance in patients with PAD and healthy controls.
There will be 3 in-person visits. You will take a capsule of amiloride or placebo before visits 2 and 3 and blood pressure, heart rate and other physiological measurements will be recorded.
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
Any race or ethnicity
Healthy: Free of acute medical conditions
PAD: Diagnosis of PAD, no pain at rest
Resting blood pressure of 150/100 or higher
Already taking amiloride
Recent heart attack or epilepsy
Peripheral neuropathy
The Effects of Healthy Diets with Plant Oils on Heart and Metabolic Health
The purpose of this study is to assess if a healthy diet containing cottonseed oil improves markers of heart and metabolic health compared to healthy diets containing other commonly consumed plant oils. Participants will be asked to consume three different healthy diets containing plant oils for 28 days each, with a minimum 1-month break between the three diets. Measurements of blood markers (sugar, insulin, cholesterol), blood pressure, and heart health, will be done at the start of the study and the end of each diet period.
In this study, you will be asked to consume three different diets for 28 days each. The diets will be provided and include 3 meals, 2 snacks and beverages daily. These diets will meet your energy and nutrient needs. You will be asked not to eat any foods outside of what is provided by the study. You will have a minimum 1-month break between the three diets. Testing will be conducted on two consecutive days at the start of the study, and the end of each of the three diet periods (a total of 8 testing days). For these visits, you will need to fast for 12 hours prior and avoid alcohol for 48 hours prior. At these visits, we will take a blood draw, measure your body weight, and perform non-invasive tests to assess your vascular health.
500
BMI: 25-40 kg/m2
LDL cholesterol: 100-190 mg/dL
Current use of tobacco-containing products or (≤6 months) cessation
Pregnant or nursing individuals
Allergy to study foods
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trazodone Effects on Sleep and Blood Pressure in Insomnia Phenotypes Based on Objective Sleep Duration: A Sequential Cohort/Randomized Controlled Trial
This study will examine whether patients who have insomnia with different sleep characteristics demonstrate a differential response to two common insomnia treatments, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and trazodone. All participants will complete a trial of CBT-I, followed by a medication trial in some participants. Participants will be evaluated with structured interviews; self-report questionnaires; in lab sleep recording; activity monitoring; saliva, blood, & urine collection for routine clinical measures; blood pressure monitoring and an EKG. All outcomes will be assessed again following the end of treatment.
Study involvement is 9-12 monthsPhone Screen to determine basic eligibility.There are 5-6 in person visits (first is consent/screening visit)3-4 of the in person visits are overnight visits to the sleep labUp to 18 other visits for treatment may be done in person or by video conference.Data is collected at home for 6-8 weeks during the 12 month period (activity monitor & blood pressure)Online self-completed surveys & structured interviews are required.Blood, urine, and saliva samples will be collectedPregnancy Test, 12-Lead EKG, Medication may need to be taken in addition to the CBT-I Sessions
$465.00
Elevated or High Blood Pressure with or without treatment
Body Mass Index <40
Unstable Medical Condition
Severe Sleep Apnea
Substance Abuse
Severe Mental Illness (ie, psychosis)