Women 65-85 with hypertension

Chronic Lower Leg Heating for the Treatment of Hypertension in Older Women

Are you, or do you know, a woman 65-85 years old?
• You have high blood pressure (140-179/90-109 mmHg) but otherwise healthy;
• You are not taking hormone replacement treatment; and
• You want to know if lower leg heating in combination with the drug treatment lowers blood pressure more effectively than the drug treatment alone.

• Volunteers will receive:
 Comprehensive assessment of blood pressure
 Assessment of heart and blood vessel function
 Monetary compensation for study participation

• Study procedures include:
 Evaluation of your heart and blood vessel function
 8 weeks of home-based lower leg heat therapy (portable spa provided)

This study is being done to find out why more older women than older men have high blood pressure, why the blood pressure control rate is poor in older female patients, and whether a non-drug treatment, such as local (lower leg) heating in combination with a drug treatment is more effective than the drug treatment alone in lowering blood pressure in older female patients.