Cardiovascular Diseases Clinical Trials

People released from prison experience two times higher cardiovascular (CV) mortality than the general population, have a high prevalence of poor CV health and increased risk of CV events within 2 years of release. Access to high quality healthcare following release from prison is key to preventing poor health and CV outcomes. Our study team will investigate facilitators and barriers to health care access experienced by people released from prison. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to examine how the environment and neighborhood characteristics affects the health of the area residents. The study will help determine how changing neighborhood characteristics, such as green space, affect heart health, risk factors for other diseases, sense of well- being or neighborhood cohesion. Read Less

The development of type II diabetes (T2D) is strongly associated with obesity and both are well-established risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Knowing that vascular dysfunction is an early event in the development of cardiovascular disease in obese diabetic (OB-T2D) patients, The investigators set their long-term goal to define molecular mechanisms of vascular dysfunction and corrective strategies that target these mechanisms such as physical activity and weight loss. The investigators recently discovered that human adipose tissues release extracellular vesicles (adiposomes) that are efficiently captured by endothelial cells. Adiposomes are known to carry bioactive cargos such as proteins and micro RNAs; however, their lipid content has not been studied nor has their ability to transfer their lipid cargo to endothelial cells. In the current application, the investigators propose to investigate the role of adiposomes in communicating the unhealthy milieu, mainly dysregulated lipids, to endothelial cells in OB-T2D subjects. On top of these lipid species that the investigators propose to be carried by adiposomes are glycosphingolipids (GSLs). These lipids originate from the glycosylation of ceramides, a chemical process that is upregulated in the presence of inflammation and high glucose levels. Preliminary findings showed that in endothelial cells, GSL-rich adiposomes disturb plasma membrane structure and subsequently induce endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, the investigators found that preconditioning endothelial cells with high shear stress (which is an exercise mimetic) protected endothelial cells from the detrimental effects induced by adiposomes. Therefore, the central hypothesis is that adipose tissues in OB-T2D patients release GSL-loaded adiposomes that induce vascular endothelial dysfunction. The researchers propose that exercise and weight loss interventions (bariatric surgery) will restore adipose tissue homeostasis, reduce GSL-loaded adiposomes, and subsequently alleviate vascular risk in OB-T2D patients. The investigators will test the hypotheses by pursuing the following aims: aim 1: Investigate the role of GSL-rich adiposomes in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in OB-T2D adults; aim 2: Test the effectiveness of exercise training in reducing adiposome-mediated effects on vascular function; and aim 3: Examine changes in adiposome/caveolae axis following metabolic surgery and their association with vascular function. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate whether Behavioral Activation for depression delivered via home based telehealth (BA-HT) is effective in improving social and role functioning in Veterans recently discharged from Cardiovascular disease (CVD-related) inpatient care. Eligible participants will receive either (1) twelve sessions of BA-HT or (2) standard best practices post CVD hospitalization care. Study participants will be 132 Veterans discharged from the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center inpatient care facilities with CVD diagnoses corresponding to ICD 10 codes I20-I25 (120 unstable angina, stable angina; 121 NSTEMI, STEMI, initial encounter; 122 NSTEMI, STEMI, subsequent encounter; 124 acute coronary syndrome; 125 coronary arteriosclerosis with angina). They will be male or female, age 21 and above, and with approximately 40-50% minority representation. There will be assessment at baseline, 1 week post treatment, as well as 3 and 9-months post treatment. The investigators predict that BA-HT will more effectively increase social role and activity functioning, activity, mood and reduce 9-month re-hospitalization compared to current best-practices post-discharge care among patients scoring at least moderately depressed on the PROMIS Depression scale one week following hospital discharge for a CVD event. Read Less

This study is designed to help patients with type 2 diabetes and their clinicians: (a) identify which glucose lowering medications have the most favorable effects on heart health and other patient-important outcomes, (b) inform the timing of medication initiation, and (c) identify whether medication benefits apply equally to all adults with type 2 diabetes, or may be different based on age, sex, race/ethnicity, baseline heart health status, baseline renal function, or other factors. Read Less

This pilot study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of adding a cardiovascular health module to the existing Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) home visitation program delivered by trained nurses in the Northern Appalachian region of Central Pennsylvania. Read Less

This pilot study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of adding a cardiovascular health module to the existing Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) home visitation program delivered by trained nurses in the Northern Appalachian region of Central Pennsylvania. Read Less

This study will evaluate the effects of whole vs. nonfat milk consumption on body composition, cardiometabolic disease risk factors, and dietary quality. Read Less

The STABLE-VT trial aims to determine the safety profile and clinical efficacy of a modified approach to ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation that integrates myocardial scar as visualized on cardiac magnetic resonance (c-MRI) or CT into electroanatomical mapping (EAM) for VT ablation. Read Less

The NYU Human Microbiome Study Cohort is designed to improve understanding of the role of human microbiome in health and disease. This study will serve as a critical NYU biorepository resource for research on human genetics and the microbiome in health and disease Read Less

The main purpose of research is to examine and understanding the development of hypertension in obese adults with insulin resistance. Findings from our studies will identify unique mechanisms that can be targeted to limit increases in vascular dysfunction and reduce the excessively high prevalence of hypertension and risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study is testing the health of the blood vessels and the activity of the nerves that control the blood vessels in adults with insulin resistance. The extent to which ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) improves the function of the blood vessels will be determined. The primary outcome is blood pressure, which is the result of blood vessel health and activity of the nerves, and the reduction in blood pressure that is observed with ascorbic acid. Read Less

This study examines cardiovascular responses to a brief psychological challenge under laboratory conditions among adult volunteers. The study volunteers are asked to complete two study sessions. In one session, the volunteers are asked to provide demographic and health-related information via questionnaires and an interview. In that session, volunteers would then be asked to undergo evaluations of their body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, and other signs of cardiovascular function and health. Lastly, volunteers would be asked to take part in a brief and challenging psychological task after a period of rest while cardiovascular activity is measured. In the other session, volunteers are asked to undergo magnetic resonance imaging and to complete neuropsychological tests of memory, attention, and processing speed. In addition to these two sessions, volunteers are asked to complete online questionnaires. The study is designed to examine associations between transient changes in cardiovascular activity induced by the psychological task, measures of overall cardiovascular health, and measures of cerebrovascular health measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Study results are expected to provide new information about the relationships between cardiovascular activity changes to psychological challenges and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health in adults. Read Less