Welcome to the Heart and Circulation Studies Page

About Heart and Circulation

The continual pumping of the heart provides life with an underlying rhythm as blood is circulated throughout the body. While the heart seems to work tirelessly, some conditions can make its workload much heavier. Cardiac diseases like high blood pressure or atherosclerosis can make it harder to pump blood, putting strain on the heart and increasing the risk of more serious heart problems. Irregularities in the heartbeat, or mechanical difficulties with its valves, can disrupt the heart’s work and make it inefficient. Cardiac researchers seek solutions for these and other concerns, looking for ways to help your heart keep the beat.

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

CHARM Study

Are you a relatively healthy adult between the ages of 40 and 59? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about how the brain relates to heart health. Compensation provided.

DURATION: About 6 hours

VISITS: 2 visits

LOCATION: Old Engineering Hall and Bridge MRI Center - Oakland

COMPENSATION: up to $130 + parking or transportation expenses.

Relationship Influences on Sleep, Emotions, and Heart Health (RISE Study)

Are you female or do you identify as female? Are you 40-59 years old? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to help better understand how different experiences and feelings in relationships are related to heart health and sleep among midlife women. Compensation provided.

VISITS: Up to 2 visits (1 remote) & 10 day monitoring

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh -- Oakland & Remotely via Telephone/Zoom

COMPENSATION: Up to $175 + bus fare or parking fee

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

MyPaTH Story Booth 2.0

Interested in sharing your story about health, illness, or research? Patients and caregivers are needed to participate in a research study to help learn more about topics that are important to you and that may improve health and health care. Participation involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

DURATION: 45 minutes

VISITS: 1 visit or phone call

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: NONE

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

MyPaTH Story Booth: Amplifying African American Voices and Healthcare Experiences

In follow-up of Black History Month, the Story Booth team is putting a special focus on stories from African American storytellers over the next 90 days. We would like to invite patients, caregivers, and health care providers to share their experiences regarding accessing health care. Your voices can empower change to research, patient-centered care, and most importantly, your community.

DURATION: 45 minutes

VISITS: 1 phone call

COMPENSATION: NONE

Multimodal Connectome Study – Congenital Heart Disease

Are you an adult between ages 18-60 years old who has Congenital Heart Disease? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to help researchers determine if differences in how the brain is formed and how it functions can predict behavior variations in different populations. Must be willing and able to undergo MRI scanning. Involves one study visit. Compensation provided.

Arrhythmia

Atherosclerosis

Heart and Circulation

Heart Failure

And 4 more areas

AGE: 18-60

LOCATION: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

COMPENSATION: $75.00

IsoWalk Study

Do you have elevated blood pressure, or have you been diagnosed by your doctor with hypertension? Do you also find it difficult to adhere to current exercise guidelines as recommended by your doctor? You may be eligible for a research study to examine if it is reasonable and doable for older adults to complete a unique exercise intervention to lower 24-hour blood pressure.

AGE: 65 and older

DURATION: about 8 weeks

VISITS: 7 in-person

LOCATION: Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center in Oak Hill Court – Oakland

COMPENSATION: up to $300

Work, Stress, and Health Study

Are you female or do you identify as female? Are you between the ages of 35-59 years old? You may be eligible to participate in a research study looking at how different experiences at work are related to women’s cardiovascular health. Compensation is provided.

Arrhythmia

Atherosclerosis

Healthy Volunteer

Heart and Circulation

And 5 more areas

AGE: 35-59

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female

DURATION: up to 3 hours

VISITS: up to 2 visits

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: up to $80

MATCH Study: Mindfulness App Training for Cardiovascular Health

Are you age 45 or above? Are you feeling stressed? Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? You may be eligible for a research study to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a smartphone-based mindfulness training program for reducing stress and blood pressure reactivity to stress during daily life. Compensation provided.

AGE: 45 and older

DURATION: 5 months

VISITS: 7

LOCATION: Behavioral Medicine Research Laboratory - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $300

REBIRTH Research Study

Have you been diagnosed with Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM)? You may be eligible to participate in a research study to determine the impact of bromocriptine therapy on myocardial recovery and subsequent clinical outcomes in a placebo controlled double blind randomized trial. Compensation is provided.

Arrhythmia

Heart Failure

Other Heart and Circulation

Other Reproductive and Sexual Health

And 1 more area

AGE: 18+

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female

DURATION: 3 years

VISITS: 7 visits

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $200

Brain Connections for Arm Movement after Stroke

Are you over 21 and have you had a stroke? You may be able to participate in a research study that hopes to learn how different brain areas control movement before and after stroke and when these brain areas are most sensitive to stimulation.

DURATION: 4 months

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: $20

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:

High Blood Pressure, Heart Failure, Atherosclerosis, Other Heart and Circulation, Arrhythmia