RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Diurnal BP Patterns in Those at Increased Risk of CVD

This study is investigating if your blood pressure drops enough at night. Normally, blood pressure is lower when you're sleeping, and this is important for your heart health. If it doesn't drop enough, you might have a higher risk of heart and blood vessel problems. We're especially interested in people with kidney conditions, as they often have these risks. We also want to see if the stiffness of your blood vessels changes day and night, as this could also affect your heart. By understanding these patterns better, doctors hope to find new ways to protect your heart and improve your health in the long run. Healthy volunteers are also needed for comparison.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

120

Start

17 Mar 2020

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Cardiovascular Risk Factor Blood Pressure Arterial Stiffness Chronic Kidney Diseases

What is this study about?

When you're healthy, your blood pressure usually goes down quite a bit at night while you're sleeping. This is a natural pattern, and it's good for your heart and blood vessels. If your blood pressure doesn't drop enough overnight, it can put you at a higher risk of developing heart and circulation problems.

Doctors are exploring new ideas, like taking certain blood pressure medicines at bedtime instead of in the morning, to help make sure your blood pressure drops properly at night. To figure out who would benefit most from these new approaches, we first need to understand how blood pressure changes throughout the day and night in people who are already at a higher risk of heart problems. This study aims to provide that missing information.

We're particularly interested in people with kidney conditions, as they often have a greater chance of heart and blood vessel problems. We also want to look at something called 'arterial stiffness' – how flexible your blood vessels are – and see if that also changes throughout the day and night. By understanding both blood pressure and arterial stiffness patterns, we hope to help doctors create more tailored and effective treatment plans to keep people's hearts as healthy as possible, especially those with kidney disease.

Key takeaways

Looks at how blood pressure and blood vessel stiffness change day and night.
Aims to understand heart risks, especially in people with kidney conditions.
Could lead to better, more personalised treatments in the future.
Involves 24-hour monitoring and blood/urine samples.
No changes to your current medication are part of this study.
You can withdraw from the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you are an adult aged between 18 and 90 years old. The study is particularly looking for people who are already at a higher risk of heart and blood vessel problems. This includes individuals with different types of kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), or an inflammatory condition called small vessel vasculitis. People who have had a kidney transplant or have donated a kidney are also included.

We are also looking for healthy volunteers from the community to join the study. These healthy volunteers will help us compare the results and understand what's normal.

You cannot take part if you are under 18 or over 90 years old, or if you are unable to understand and agree to participate in the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 90 years old?
Do you have a higher chance of heart or blood vessel disease?
Do you have a kidney condition (like CKD, AKI, vasculitis, or have had a transplant/donated a kidney)?
Can you understand and agree to take part in the study?
Are you able to attend two study visits?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will visit the hospital on two separate occasions. During these visits, you will wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours to track how your blood pressure changes throughout the day and night. We will also measure the stiffness of your blood vessels. On both occasions, we'll collect blood and urine samples during the day and also at night. The study does not involve taking any new medications; it focuses on assessment rather than treatment changes. We will provide full details of what to expect at each visit and the total duration.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't directly improve your health during the study itself, but the information we gather could help doctors provide better care for people with similar conditions in the future. The risks involve minor discomfort from wearing the blood pressure monitor and from having blood taken, similar to a routine blood test. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'diurnal blood pressure'?

It simply means how your blood pressure naturally changes over a 24-hour day, including when you're awake and asleep.

Why is it important for my blood pressure to drop at night?

A healthy drop in blood pressure during sleep is important for your heart's health. If it doesn't drop enough, it can increase your risk of heart problems.

What is 'arterial stiffness'?

This refers to how flexible and healthy your blood vessels are. Stiffer arteries can be a sign of a higher risk of heart problems.

Will I have to stay in the hospital overnight?

No, you won't need to stay overnight. You'll wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours at home and attend visits for samples and assessments.

Will this study change my current medication?

No, this study is about observation and understanding patterns, not about changing your current medications.

How to find out more

Neeraj Dhaun, MBChB PhD

bean.dhaun@ed.ac.uk 07968810899 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.