Using ECG to Estimate Heart Age for Better Blood Pressure Management
The Use of Electrocardiography-based Estimation of Heart Age to Improve Blood Pressure in a Primary Care Setting - a Pilot Study
This study is testing whether giving people with high blood pressure information about their heart age from an ECG can help them better understand their heart health and manage their condition.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Kronoberg County Council Government |
| Locations | 2 sites (Ryd and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05791279 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial where hypertensive patients in primary care receive information about their ECG-based Heart Age alongside standard care. The Heart Age is derived from ECG changes and is intended to help patients understand their cardiovascular risk by comparing it to their chronological age. The study will evaluate recruitment dropout rates and the quality of the randomized process to prepare for a larger trial that could potentially improve patient outcomes in hypertension management.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are hypertensive patients aged 40 to 75 with a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg.
Not a fit: Patients with ECG abnormalities that distort Heart Age estimation or those with a short life expectancy may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance patient understanding of their cardiovascular risk and improve adherence to treatment and lifestyle changes.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of Heart Age is promising, this specific approach has not been extensively tested in clinical settings, making it a novel investigation.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Eligibility: Patients with hypertension and systolic blood pressure \>140 mm Hg (measured during the inclusion period by doctor or nurse at the primary health care center) Inclusion Criteria: * Informed consent * Diagnosed hypertension (International classification of disease (ICD-10), I10.9) * 40 - 75 years Exclusion Criteria: * ECG findings that are incompatible with or may significantly distort the Heart Age estimation (left/right bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation/flutter, tachycardia (≥100/min), abundant ventricular ectopic beats, misplaced ECG electrodes, missing leads, excessive signal noise/baseline) * Short life expectancy (\<1 year) * Pregnancy, known secondary hypertension * Predicted inability to give informed consent due to either language difficulties, cognitive impairment or other. * Systolic blood pressure \<120 mmHg at the baseline visit
Where this trial is running
Ryd and 1 other locations
- Ryd Vardcentral — Ryd, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Tingsryd Vardcentral — Tingsryd, Sweden (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Thomas Lindow, MD, PhD — Region Kronoberg, Sweden; Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Study coordinator: Thomas Lindow, MD, PhD
- Email: thomas.akesson_lindow@med.lu.se
- Phone: +46470588000
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.