Allopurinol Improves Diastolic Function in African Americans With Resistant Hypertension
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
African American adults in the United States have the highest prevalence rate of high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure in the world. African Americans with treatment resistant hypertension have higher levels of the enzyme - xanthine oxidase compared to Caucasians. This trial will test if administration of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor - Allopurinol (commonly used in the treatment of gout), given over a period of 8 weeks, will improve heart function, exercise ability and quality of life in African American Veterans with resistant hypertension.
Description
Hypertension among African American adults in the United States has one of the highest prevalence rates in the world and is related to adverse changes in left ventricular (LV) structure and function. Hypertension is an underlying factor in greater than 50% of African American adults with heart failure and is the strongest risk factor in that population. African American adults have a 50% increased incidence of heart failure, due in large part due to the greater prevalence and severity of hypertension. Heart failure occurs 8 years earlier in African American adults compared with Caucasians. Fu…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Veteran 2. African American 3. Resistant hypertension diagnosis (defined as blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg at 2 clinic visits despite the use of 3 antihypertensive medications at pharmacologically effective doses) 4. Locale - Birmingham, AL and surrounding areas Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of heart failure 2. Chronic kidney disease (estimated creatinine clearance \< 60 ml/min) 3. Chronic steroid therapy 4. Known coronary artery disease 5. Known cau…
Interventions
- DrugAllopurinol
Single arm of Allopurinol treatment for 300mg/daily for 4 weeks then may be increased to 600mg/daily for an additional 4 weeks.
Location
- Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, ALBirmingham, Alabama