Lowering salt intake to improve heart and blood vessel health in African American adults
A Mechanistic Trial of Dietary Sodium Reduction on Vascular Structure and Function in African Americans
This project will see if cutting daily salt to under 2,300 mg helps heart and blood vessel health in African American adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11292880 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to follow a lower-sodium diet (target <2,300 mg/day) or continue your usual diet while the team measures heart and blood vessel health. Participants will be randomly assigned to groups and receive counseling and monitoring, including urine or blood checks to track sodium and clinic visits for tests. The researchers will use imaging and vascular tests such as left ventricular mass and strain, pulse wave velocity, and flow-mediated dilation to look for changes. Study staff will also monitor blood pressure and other routine measures during the trial.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: African American adults who are willing to follow a low-salt diet and attend clinic visits (including people with or at risk for high blood pressure) are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not African American, children, or those unable or unwilling to change their salt intake or attend study visits are unlikely to be eligible or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could show that reducing salt directly protects the heart and blood vessels and help lower cardiovascular risk in African Americans.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials have shown that lowering sodium reduces blood pressure, but randomized evidence showing direct improvements in heart and vascular structure and function—especially in African Americans—is limited, so this approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New Orleans, United States
- Tulane University of Louisiana — New Orleans, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mills, Katherine Teresa — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Mills, Katherine Teresa
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.