Active — Not RecruitingPhase 1/2

Wild Blueberries and Cardiovascular Health in Middle-aged/Older Men and Postmenopausal Women

United States58 participantsStarted 2020-01-01

Plain-language summary

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Aging is the primary risk factor for CVD, in large part due to adverse modifications to the arteries. These modifications include vascular endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is an initiating step in atherosclerosis, and is primarily caused by reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability secondary to excessive superoxide-driven oxidative stress and inflammation. Endothelial dysfunction leads to arterial stiffness and the development of hypertension (HTN) which further increases CVD. Greater than 2/3 of the US population has elevated blood pressure or stage 1-HTN. As such, interventions that improve vascular endothelial dysfunction by increasing NO bioavailability and mitigating excessive oxidative stress and inflammation are needed. Blueberries are rich in bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and pterostilbene. These compounds and their metabolites have been shown to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation. The primary goal of this study is to assess the efficacy of blueberries to improve reduce blood pressure and improve vascular endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in middle-aged/older men with elevated blood pressure or stage 1-HTN.

Who can participate

Age range

45 Years – 70 Years

Sex

MALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Men and postmenopausal women * Aged 45-70 years * Elevated blood pressure or stage 1-Hypertension * Ability to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Have had a menstrual cycle within the past year * Blood Pressure \< 120 (systolic BP) or ≥ 140/90 mm Hg * Reactive hyperemia index \> 3.00% * Taking \> 1 antihypertensive medication, taking 1 antihypertensive medication more than 1 time per day, and/or taking the antihypertensive medication for \< 3 months * Diagnosed cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or gastrointestinal, kidney, liver, lung, and/or pancreatic disease * Triglycerides \> 350 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 190 mg/dL, hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5%, and/or taking a lipid-lowering or glucose-lowering medication * Testosterone or estrogen replacement therapy use 6 months prior to study start * Weight change ≥ 3 kg in the past 3 months, actively trying to lose weight, or unwilling to remain weight stable throughout the study * Current smokers or history of smoking in the past 12 months * Binge and/or heavy drinker (\>3 drinks on any given occasion and/or \>7 drinks/week for women, and \>4 drinks on any given occasion and/or \>14 drinks/week for men) * Body mass index \< 18.5 or \> 40 kg/m2 * Antibiotic therapy within past two months * Allergies or contraindication to study treatments or procedures

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Reactive hyperemia index

Timeframe: Baseline to 12 Weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04530916

SponsorColorado State University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-03-31

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