Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Clinic at the Rasmussen Center

Cardiovascular Research

Long-Term Research Study

Research is very important for learning more about the identification and prevention of cardiovascular disease. At the Rasmussen Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention patients are invited (not required) to participate in ongoing research through the use of our research database. This database is used to analyze information collected over time (possibly up to 25 years) to learn more about preventing cardiovascular disease. Every few years a questionnaire is mailed to patients to update their health history.

Cardiovascular Clinical Trials/Research Studies

The Rasmussen Center research program within the Lillehei Clinical Research Unit at the University of Minnesota is dedicated to exploring various methods and approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention in an ongoing effort to identify more effective ways to slow the progression of heart disease.

Cardiovascular clinical research studies are open to all individuals who meet entrance requirements. It is not required to be a previous patient of the Rasmussen Center to participate.

Current and Future Studies

EVIDENCE Study

Early Vascular Impairment; Determine Efficacy of Nebivolol, Comparator Examination

Status: Enrolling Now!

This study is for individuals with normal or borderline blood pressures. EVIDENCE will study cardiovascular disease risk reduction in people with normal to slightly elevated blood pressures and early vascular impairment over a period of 9 months. Study participants receive three complete cardiovascular screenings along with blood and urine analysis.

Upon qualification, participants will be followed for a 9-month period and receive three complete cardiovascular screenings including blood and urine analysis at no cost.

Tests include:

Resting blood pressure
Retinal vasculature analysis
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Measurement of large and small artery elasticity
Ultrasound of the heart (left ventricle)
Ultrasound of the carotid arteries
Walking treadmill exercise test
Testing of blood and urine:

Cholesterol
Glucose
C-reactive protein (CRP)
NT-proBNP
Microalbumin

The following conditions must be met for participation in this study:

You are an adult, 18-80 years of age
Your systolic blood pressure is between 120/80 and 145/90 mmHg
You have vascular impairment (as determined by a simple non-invasive test).

There may be reasons why you cannot participate in this study. Some of these reasons include:

You are younger than 18 years old
You have diabetes
You have had a heart attack, heart bypass surgery or angioplasty
You have experienced unstable angina or uncontrolled abnormal heart rhythms
You have a history of congestive heart failure.

Compensation is available for this study. For more information or to determine your eligibility, please contact Sara M. Saul, PhD at 612-626-5446 or by e-mail at saul@umn.edu.