Jan. 14, 2008

CONTACT:
Communications Department
(320) 251-2700, ext. 74980

Central Minnesota Heart Center recruiting patients for national clinical study

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Heart Center at St. Cloud Hospital is seeking patients to participate in a Phase 3 clinical study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug for lowering the blood pressure in people with resistant hypertension. Hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that is not controlled despite treatment with at least three antihypertensive drugs including a diuretic.

Hypertension affects about 65 million people in the United States and approximately one billion worldwide. It is estimated that, despite treatment with three high blood pressure medications, approximately three million people in the United States do not reach blood pressure goals and are considered to have resistant hypertension.

“Over time, hypertension, and in particular, resistant hypertension, may lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney problems and premature death,” said Bernard Erickson, M.D., cardiologist at Central Minnesota Heart Center and primary investigator for the study.

To participate in the study, patients must be receiving combination therapy with at least three antihypertensive drugs including a diuretic. Patients’ systolic blood pressure reading or top number also must be greater than or equal to 140. The systolic blood pressure reading represents the maximum pressure exerted when the heart contracts. For patients with diabetes and/or chronic kidney disease, the systolic blood pressure must be greater than 130. Eligible patients will receive investigational drug, Guanfacine, or a placebo and will be treated for 14 weeks. Patients who complete the study may be eligible to participate in a long-term safety extension study.

For more information about the clinical trial, please contact the Central Minnesota Heart Center
at (320) 251-2700, ext. 52187.

Learn more about clinical research studies at the Central Minnesota Heart Center.

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