Question on the BLOOD PRESSURE criteria...

[nonotmuch]

If anyone can shed any light on this, I would greatly appreciate it. 

I am sure to get many "it varies from study to study" and "it depends on the sponsor" and so forth.  But what I am really looking for is some insight on the relative weight given to BP and, more importantly, the manner in which is considered.  Let me explain...

Recall in high school or college, every once in a while you would have a course that was simply graded on a PASS/FAIL basis.  That is, there was no uum of grading in the course (A, B, C, D, etc...).  You either passed the course, or you failed it.  Everyone who passed was considered equal no matter whether they passed with a 97% or a 71%.  There were no degrees of success.  Only a yes/no.

So my question is whether or not this is the way that the Blood Pressure check (in Vitals) works in most screenings.

Suppose a study has a target blood pressure range of, say, 118/70 to 139/89.  So they are only admitting subjects whose BP falls in between those two figures.

Now, does that mean that everyone who's BP is in that range will be subsequently considered equal IN TERMS OF BP?  Or, rather, is preference or weight given to the bottom end of the range?

I would initially think that preference is given to the lower end of the range.  However, I then thought that maybe I was -- in my medical ignorance -- overvaluing the importance of blood pressure and not realizing that what they are most concerned with is blood work/labs, and that things like vitals are only very preliminary checks, such that if you pass you pass (and they go on to consider your blood work/labs) and if you fail, you fail (and you are cut from consideration all together).

If anyone can shed some light on this question I would REALLY appreciate it.

I recently screened for a big study, got in, but was then eliminated by the randomization process on the first day (they had to cut a few of us). So then I screened for the next group/cohort... but I was so nervous about getting in again that my BP was way toward the top end of the range.

So naturally I'm suddenly very curious about the type of consideration that BP is.  Hence my question above.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light!

[carmel]

Aug 1, 2013 9:20:56 GMT -5 nonotmuch said:

So my question is whether or not this is the way that the Blood Pressure check (in Vitals) works in most screenings. Suppose a study has a target blood pressure range of, say, 118/70 to 139/89.  So they are only admitting subjects whose BP falls in between those two figures.

Now, does that mean that everyone who's BP is in that range will be subsequently considered equal IN TERMS OF BP?  Or, rather, is preference or weight given to the bottom end of the range?

I recently screened for a big study, got in, but was then eliminated by the randomization process on the first day (they had to cut a few of us). So then I screened for the next group/cohort... but I was so nervous about getting in again that my BP was way toward the top end of the range.

If you haven't already, please do check out this thread here: White Coat Syndrome. I have the same problem, and I posted a little about it in that thread.

[respect]

Aug 1, 2013 9:20:56 GMT -5 nonotmuch said:

If anyone can shed any light on this, I would greatly appreciate it. 

I am sure to get many "it varies from study to study" and "it depends on the sponsor" and so forth.  But what I am really looking for is some insight on the relative weight given to BP and, more importantly, the manner in which is considered.  Let me explain...

Recall in high school or college, every once in a while you would have a course that was simply graded on a PASS/FAIL basis.  That is, there was no uum of grading in the course (A, B, C, D, etc...).  You either passed the course, or you failed it.  Everyone who passed was considered equal no matter whether they passed with a 97% or a 71%.  There were no degrees of success.  Only a yes/no.

So my question is whether or not this is the way that the Blood Pressure check (in Vitals) works in most screenings.

Suppose a study has a target blood pressure range of, say, 118/70 to 139/89.  So they are only admitting subjects whose BP falls in between those two figures.

Now, does that mean that everyone who's BP is in that range will be subsequently considered equal IN TERMS OF BP?  Or, rather, is preference or weight given to the bottom end of the range?

I would initially think that preference is given to the lower end of the range.  However, I then thought that maybe I was -- in my medical ignorance -- overvaluing the importance of blood pressure and not realizing that what they are most concerned with is blood work/labs, and that things like vitals are only very preliminary checks, such that if you pass you pass (and they go on to consider your blood work/labs) and if you fail, you fail (and you are cut from consideration all together).

If anyone can shed some light on this question I would REALLY appreciate it.

I recently screened for a big study, got in, but was then eliminated by the randomization process on the first day (they had to cut a few of us). So then I screened for the next group/cohort... but I was so nervous about getting in again that my BP was way toward the top end of the range.

So naturally I'm suddenly very curious about the type of consideration that BP is.  Hence my question above.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light!

[respect]

Being in good physical shape definitely helps with your vitals and being a good candidate for study. When not screening or in a study look at all avenues. I found this link helpful
www.iherb.com/Dr-Mercola-L-Arginine-Timed-Release-120-Veggie-Caps/44790/?rcode=MAT208

[travelingrat]

my opinion is that for most studies, as long as your BP is within the range they want at the screening and it stays within that range until you get that first dose (meaning, you are IN!!!!), they will not look to see who is closest to the low end or the high end.

if the study involves a drug that has caused BP increases in previous trials, they may be more particular. but most of the time, i think if you can jsut get past those first few readings, you will be fine.

the link carmel provided does has a lot of useful info.

it would really help if all clinics would provide a calm, peaceful setting for screening BP's. a few do, but many times the nurses are yakking or yelling across the room, you have just sat down and are being jostled around, etc. this seems to me to be a foolish business practice since screenings cost them money ... why not provide a setting conducive to optimal results? sigh, oh well ....