Evaluating the Relationship Between Fatty Acids and Heart Disease

April 10, 2014 updated by: Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, Brigham and Women's Hospital

n-3 and Trans Fatty Acids and Major Cardiovascular Outcomes

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects millions of people in the United States; each year, more people die from CVD than from any other disease. Individuals with low levels of n-3 fatty acids and high levels of trans-fatty acids may have an increased risk of developing CVD. This study will evaluate the link between fatty acids and the presence of CVD in older adults.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

CVD includes diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels, including congestive heart failure (CHF), atrial fibrillation (AF), and stroke. CVD may be associated with low levels of n-3 fatty acids and high levels of trans-fatty acids, but more research is needed to determine the role of various fatty acids in the development of CVD. Results from prior studies on this topic have not always been reliable because data from self-reported dietary questionnaires on fatty acid intake have sometimes been inaccurate. A more effective way to measure levels of fatty acids is to analyze blood samples. This study will use blood samples of participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a study that examined CVD risk factors in older adults, to determine the link between various fatty acids and the incidence of CHF, AF, and stroke. The results from this study may help researchers identify the dietary factors that influence the development of CVD in older adults.

This study will examine previously collected data from participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study. There will be no study visits specifically for this study. Plasma samples obtained from participants will be analyzed for the presence of n-3 fatty acids and trans-fatty acids. The study will also determine the incidence of CHF, AF, and stroke and the way in which fatty acids are related to hemodynamics, heart structure and function, electrophysiology, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, endothelial function, and obesity.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

4766

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
        • Harvard School of Public Health
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
        • Channing Laboratory, Harvard Medical School
    • Washington
      • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98101
        • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
      • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98101
        • Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, University of Washington

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

65 years and older (Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

January 1, 1989

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2006

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 27, 2006

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 27, 2006

First Posted (Estimate)

November 29, 2006

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

April 14, 2014

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 10, 2014

Last Verified

April 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 1363 (Clinical Research Center)
  • R01HL085710 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • R01HL085710-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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