High Blood Pressure Research Study
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center are conducting a study to understand the influence of obesity and hypertension on how the nervous system communicates to blood vessels to increase blood pressure during stress.
Fast Facts
Diagnosed with Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Ages 18-55
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Dallas, TX
Study Background
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are looking to understand how the nervous system controls blood vessels and how blood vessels respond to infusions of different substances that could modify blood vessel function.
Cardiovascular mortality attributable to hypertension has increased by more than 10% in the last decade. More than 50% of hypertensive individuals don’t have their blood pressure under control. Therefore, studies that advance the understanding of basic mechanisms of blood pressure regulation in humans are needed.
We are also interested in how hypertension and obesity influence the nervous system and vascular function. There are no direct benefits of participating in this study beyond learning more about your cardiovascular health (e.g., blood pressure and blood panels).
The study will involve how your blood vessels respond to infusion of different vasoconstrictors and vasodilators administered via a flexible tube placed in the brachial artery along with measuring sympathetic nervous system activity and blood flow.
Study Background
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are looking to understand how the nervous system controls blood vessels and how blood vessels respond to infusions of different substances that could modify blood vessel function.
Cardiovascular mortality attributable to hypertension has increased by more than 10% in the last decade. More than 50% of hypertensive individuals don’t have their blood pressure under control. Therefore, studies that advance the understanding of basic mechanisms of blood pressure regulation in humans are needed.
We are also interested in how hypertension and obesity influence the nervous system and vascular function. There are no direct benefits of participating in this study beyond learning more about your cardiovascular health (e.g., blood pressure and blood panels).
The study will involve how your blood vessels respond to infusion of different vasoconstrictors and vasodilators administered via a flexible tube placed in the brachial artery along with measuring sympathetic nervous system activity and blood flow.
Additional Information
The goal of this research study is to understand how the nervous system communicates to blood vessels to increase blood pressure at rest and during stress.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
Ages 18-55
Diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure)
Normal weight (BMI 18.9-27 kg/m2) or obese (BMI ≥32 kg/m2) adults
No significant heart, kidney, or liver disease
No history of stroke
No history of cancer
No diabetes
Not being treated for depression, anxiety, and/or bipolar disorder
No thyroid disease
Participants enrolled in this study will require two in-person visits:
- Visit 1 (1 hour):
- DEXA scan for body composition
- Blood draw
- 24 hour blood pressure monitoring
- In-home sleep testing
- Medication washout
- Visit 2 (4 hours):
- Brachial artery line
- Infusion of drugs that alter the blood vessels in the forearm
- Light intensity exercise
- Blood draw
- Ultrasound of blood vessels
- Measurement of nervous system activity
Participants may receive up to $250 in compensation.
There is no cost for you to enroll in this study.