Church-based Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure in African Americans

Launched by RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Jan 21, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a special program designed to help African Americans lower their high blood pressure, a condition known as hypertension. The program will be held in churches and aims to support individuals who struggle with uncontrolled blood pressure. Over the course of a year, participants will take part in weekly online meetings and learn about healthy lifestyle changes that can positively impact their health.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be at least 18 years old, have high blood pressure that exceeds certain levels, and attend church services at least once a month, either in person or online. They should also be willing to join weekly Zoom meetings. It’s important to note that certain medical conditions or living situations may prevent someone from participating. This study is a great opportunity for those who want to improve their health in a supportive community setting.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Churches:
• • At least 75 members and ability to recruit 15 study participants
• • Predominantly African American congregants
• Participants:
• • Age 18 or older
• • Has blood pressure readings with uncontrolled blood pressure, defined as exceeding the blood thresholds for initiation of antihypertensive medication according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines.
• • - The thresholds are 140/90 for the general population \< 65 years old, and 130/80 for individuals ≥ 65 or with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or high cardiovascular risk (self-report of prior diagnosis of myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, stroke or heart failure)
• • Attends church (virtually or in-person) at least once per month
• • Able to attend weekly Zoom meetings
• • Consents and completes all baseline assessments
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Churches:
• • • Pastor unwilling to conduct Bible study
• Participants:
• • Unable to make dietary changes due to lack of control over their food source (i.e., eat meals at shelter, nursing home)
• • Has a medical condition that prohibits or severely restricts ability to eat vegetables (i.e., renal disease, Crohn's disease)
• • Has a medical condition with an uncertain 6-month prognosis
• • Inability to give informed consent (i.e., cognitive impairment, does not speak Englis
• • Plans to move within the 6 months following enrollment
• • Participated in prior ALIVE intervention
• • Member of household participating in another church