Raised Head of Bed for High Blood Pressure When Lying Down in Autonomic Failure

This study is looking at whether raising the head of your bed can help lower high blood pressure that occurs when you're lying down (supine hypertension), a common issue for people with autonomic failure (a condition where the nervous system doesn't control body functions well). Researchers are testing different ways to elevate the head of the bed, either by tilting the whole bed or just raising the trunk, by 8, 9, or 12 inches. The main goal is to see if these methods can reduce your systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) overnight or during short sessions. This approach works by using gravity to decrease the amount of blood returning to your heart, which may help lower blood pressure. The study is open to adults aged 18-85 with autonomic failure and supine hypertension, but excludes pregnant women and those with certain serious health conditions. About 44 people are expected to join.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 44 participants. It is not specified if the study is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
Participants will have their blood pressure measured overnight (10 PM to 8 AM) or during acute sessions (1 hour at each head elevation).
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Blood pressure is measured overnight (10 PM to 8 AM) or during acute sessions (1 hour at each elevation of the head).

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04502225

Effect of Raised Head of the Bed on Lying Blood Pressure in Autonomic Failure

Recruiting
NAAges 18–85InterventionalTreatment
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
~44 participants
Updated 2025-11-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:TiltElevated trunkTilt - In homeElevated Trunk - In home

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Systolic Blood Pressure
Measured over 10 PM to 8 AM
+1 more outcome measured
Supine Hypertension
Autonomic Failure

NCT04502225

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Nashville, Tennesseestudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Italo Biaggioni, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Vanderbilt University Medical Center

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Patients with autonomic failure and with supine hypertension from all races
Males and females, between 18 to 85 years

Exclusion

All medical students
Pregnant women
High-risk patients (for example: heart failure, symptomatic coronary artery disease, liver impairment, history of stroke or myocardial infarction)
History of serious allergies or asthma.
  • Systolic Blood Pressure10 PM to 8 AM

    Maximal change from baseline in systolic blood pressure during the night

  • Systolic Blood Pressure10 PM to 8 AM or acute session (1 hour at each elevation of the head)

    Difference in systolic blood pressure between tilt and elevated trunk sessions