Cardiovascular diseases include heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and conditions like atrial fibrillation. They remain the leading cause of death worldwide, but treatment has advanced rapidly — from stents and clot-busting drugs to powerful cholesterol medications and devices that support failing hearts.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing new anticoagulants that balance stroke prevention with bleeding risk, SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists that protect the heart in people with diabetes, gene therapies for inherited heart conditions, and anti-inflammatory drugs that address atherosclerosis as an inflammatory disease. Researchers are also studying wearable devices for early detection and personalized prevention strategies.
Anti-inflammatory approaches
Trials are testing drugs that reduce inflammation in artery walls, treating atherosclerosis as more than just cholesterol buildup. Early results suggest these may prevent heart attacks in people already on statins.
SGLT2 inhibitors for heart failure
Originally diabetes drugs, SGLT2 inhibitors like dapagliflozin are now FDA-approved for heart failure after trials showed they reduce hospitalizations. Studies continue in people without diabetes.
Gene therapies for inherited conditions
Trials are testing gene-editing approaches for familial hypercholesterolemia and cardiomyopathies caused by single gene mutations. These one-time treatments could address root causes rather than manage symptoms.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on specific diagnosis, heart function measures like ejection fraction, prior cardiovascular events, current medications, and risk factors like diabetes or kidney disease.
What types of trials are currently open
- Prevention trials — Testing medications, lifestyle interventions, or devices to prevent first heart attacks or strokes in high-risk people.
- Heart failure trials — Studies of drugs, devices like ventricular assist devices, or new ways to manage fluid and symptoms in people with weakened hearts.
- Anticoagulation trials — Testing newer blood thinners for atrial fibrillation or clot prevention, often comparing safety and effectiveness against warfarin or other anticoagulants.
- Post-heart attack trials — Testing treatments to protect the heart after a heart attack, reduce scarring, or prevent future events.
- Device trials — Studies of pacemakers, defibrillators, heart pumps, or wearable monitors that detect irregular rhythms or early signs of heart failure.
Recently added Cardiovascular Diseases trials
Take a weekly injection to test a new diabetes treatment
This study is being conducted to find out how well zenagamtide works and how safe it is compared to insulin glargine in participants with type 2 diabetes who are at higher risk of heart and blood vessel problems and are already taking 1 to 3 diabetes medications. There are 2 study treatments in this study taken as injections under the skin once a week. Participants will either get zenagamtide, (the treatment being tested) or insulin glargine (a comparator) and which treatment participants get is decided by chance.
Digital Intelligent Tongue-Pressure Biofeedback Resistance Training for Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Post-stroke dysphagia is a common complication of stroke and may lead to impaired oral intake, malnutrition, aspiration, and pneumonia. Reduced tongue strength and tongue pressure are important contributors to impaired swallowing after stroke. Conventional tongue-pressure resistance training may improve tongue strength, but traditional training provides limited real-time feedback and may be difficult to individualize.This prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of digital intelligent tongue-pressure biofeedback resistance training in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. A total of 80 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group will receive digital intelligent tongue-pressure biofeedback resistance training in addition to conventional swallowing rehabilitation, while participants in the control group will receive conventional rehabilitation without the digital biofeedback intervention. The intervention period will last 2 weeks.Swallowing function will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention. The primary outcome is the change in Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) score. Secondary assessments include maximum tongue pressure and quantitative videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) measures, including oral transit time, Penetration-Aspiration Scale score, and pharyngeal residue. The study aims to determine whether digital intelligent tongue-pressure biofeedback resistance training provides additional benefits for swallowing function, tongue strength, and swallowing safety in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
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