Targeted LOWering of Central Blood Pressure in patients with hypertension: a randomised controlled trial (The LOW CBP study)

This is a national study in people treated for high blood pressure (BP) being conducted in Tasmania, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

If you are aged between 18 and 70 years of age and are currently being treated for hypertension, you may be eligible for this study (see contact details below).

High BP (hypertension) is the most common cause of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lowering BP with medication improves patient outcomes, but even in people with normal (brachial) BP there still remains risk for CVD. Much of this risk may be due to high central BP (this is the BP in the arteries just outside the heart). This current project aims to test whether lowering of central BP will improve CVD risk above and beyond conventional brachial BP.

The LOW CBP study is a national clinical trial in 300 people treated for hypertension who have controlled brachial BP (<140/90 mmHg) but relatively high central BP. The study is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

Studies by our group have shown that targeted lowering of central BP is possible using low dose spironolactone (25 mg/day). This medication is readily available and has a well-documented safety profile. Randomisation to spironolactone (and lowering of central BP) over 2 years of study involvement is expected to improve CVD risk, despite no significant change in clinic measured brachial BP.

Study involvement will include several visits for comprehensive measures of cardiovascular health (including BP and heart scans) and clinical results will be forwarded to your doctor.

For more information contact:

Tasmania


Erin Nash and Kim Kennedy
Menzies Institute for Medical Research
University of Tasmania
P: 6226 4629 (Erin) or 6226 4714 (Kim)
E:Menzies.LowCBP@utas.edu.au

Canberra


Wichat Srikusalanukul
Clinical Trials Unit
Canberra Hospital
P: 6244 3687 (reception)
E:Wichat.Srikusalanukul@act.gov.au

Queensland


Deborah Gilroy
Endocrine Hypertension Research Centre
University of Queensland
P: 3176 6614
E: d.gilroy@uq.edu.au

This project is a participant based study

Research Groups

Related Diseases