Exercise Training for High Blood Pressure

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byMarc Cook, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University

No Placebo Group

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

African Americans have the greatest burden of endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. Recently, gut microbial dysbiosis (a term that describes a poorly diverse gut microbial profile and lower short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production) has been linked to hypertension and may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension in African Americans. African Americans have been reported to have lower gut SCFA and SCFA can reduce blood pressure. Exercise reduces blood pressure and improves gut dysbiosis (increases SCFA) and likely couples' improvements in gut microbial health and vascular function to reduce blood pressure. Thus, the goals of this research are to fill a critical void concerning the interaction of gut dysbiosis, hypertension, and utilizing exercise to identify gut microbial adaptations that accompany a reduction in blood pressure. The short-term implications of this work will advance the clinical communities understanding of the relationship between dysbiosis and the pathogenesis of hypertension in African Americans, while long term implications will promote identifying adaptable gut microbes associated with vascular health to aid in amending treatment strategies for hypertension.

Research Team

Marc Cook, PhD

Principal Investigator

North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for African Americans aged 30-50 who are sedentary, have slightly elevated to stage 1 high blood pressure but no other major health issues like heart disease, kidney or lung diseases, and aren't on medications that affect blood pressure. Smokers and pregnant women can't participate.

Inclusion Criteria

You don't exercise regularly and have a job that involves sitting most of the time.

I am between 30 and 50 years old.

Your blood pressure is within the normal range (systolic BP: 90-120 mmHg/diastolic BP: 60-80 mmHg).

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Exclusion Criteria

I have taken medication for blood pressure, inflammation, cholesterol, or thyroid in the last month.

Pregnant females

You have heart-related symptoms during exercise testing that would prevent you from doing vigorous physical activity.

See 10 more

Treatment Details

Interventions

Exercise Training (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study investigates how exercise training affects high blood pressure and gut microbial diversity in African Americans. It aims to understand if improving gut health through exercise can help lower blood pressure.

Participant Groups

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Hypertension (Exercise Intervention)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants with hypertension will submit blood and fecal samples for comparison to control participants with normal blood pressure. Control group will only donate fecal and blood samples and will not participate in the exercise intervention. Participants with hypertension will also perform 3 months of supervised aerobic exercise (5 days/week) and submit blood and fecal samples every 4 weeks until the completion of the study.