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For more information, contact:

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Department of Preventive Medicine

Margaret Caufield - (901) 448-6732, mcaufiel@uthsc.edu or

Department of Communications and Marketing                

Dena Owens – (901) 448-4072, dowens10@uthsc.edu

 

 

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

 

Begins Hypertension Study

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Memphis, Tenn. (June 17, 2011) – The Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) has joined a national, multicenter clinical study to determine whether lower blood pressure can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.  The study will also examine the effects of lower blood pressure on cognitive decline and dementia, as well as whether controlling blood pressure can decrease the risk of kidney disease.  UTHSC is currently recruiting participants for the trial, which is referred to as SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial).  SPRINT is funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that one of every three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, which can increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.  Also, high blood pressure can cause kidney damage, which boosts the chances of having a heart attack.  High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because often there are no warning signs or symptoms.  Thus, adults should have their blood pressure checked regularly.

To participate in the SPRINT study, the UTHSC Department of Preventive Medicine seeks men and women ages 55 and above who have experienced one or more of the following health conditions:  heart disease, mild kidney disease, blocked arteries in the legs, a previous heart attack, or an angioplasty procedure to unblock coronary arteries.  Participants will be selected at random to receive FDA-approved blood pressure medicines free of charge.  Interested persons should call the Department of Preventive Medicine at 901-448-8400.

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region, by pursuing an integrated program of education, research, clinical care, and public service.  In 2011, UT Health Science Center celebrates its centennial: 100 years advancing the future of health care.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main UTHSC campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  The UTHSC campus in Knoxville includes a College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  In addition, the UTHSC Chattanooga campus includes a College of Medicine and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  Since its founding in 1911, UTHSC has educated and trained more than 53,000 health care professionals on campuses and in health care facilities across the state.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

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