Research Center: Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Location: Center for Clinical Investigations (CCI) at 221 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Lead Researcher: Dr. Howard Sesso, ScD, MPH, FAHA
IRB: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Institutional Review Board

Almost 50% of Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure, according to a 2023 report by the American Heart Association. The chances of developing high blood pressure grow with age, increasing one’s risk of heart disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. 

This is why researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital are conducting a study to investigate a potential alternative to blood pressure medication. Healthy adults who have high blood pressure are invited to try a magnesium supplement that may reduce their high blood pressure. Join this paid study and help advance heart health research. Potentially help yourself and others with high blood pressure lead healthier lives!

• Participants will receive a new potential treatment for high blood pressure at no cost.
• Participants will be compensated up to $100 for participating in this study. Full compensation will only be provided to eligible participants who complete the study, but ineligible participants who complete a baseline appointment will still receive $25 for their time and effort. 
• Participants may potentially find an alternative and effective method to reduce high blood pressure. 
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those with high blood pressure in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Adults aged 30-74 diagnosed with systolic blood pressure 130-159 mmHg
• Must have a BMI of ≤40 kg/m²
• Must be able and willing to swallow 4 pills per day for the next 12 weeks
• Must not have any swallowing issues
• Must be able to attend 2 study visits at the research site over approximately 12 weeks
• Must be willing to maintain one’s current diet and supplement use patterns during the 12-week intervention

Must not be planning to move or relocate out of the Boston area in the next 6 months

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• Participants will attend a screening visit at the research site where body measurements and blood and urine samples will be taken. They will also answer questions about their supplement use, medical history, and diet. 

• Participants will take four magnesium (480 mg) or placebo pills every day (two pills in the morning and two pills in the evening) for 12 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to the active magnesium study pills or the placebo study pills. The participants and research staff will not know the pill assignment, however, participants will be notified about which study assignment they received at the end of the trial.

• At 2 and 6 weeks after the initial screening visit, the study team will email participants a secure link to a study questionnaire. This will entail answering questions about their pill-taking and relevant clinical/lifestyle risk factors.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital 

 Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) brings individuals together across departments, such as researchers and physicians in a wide variety of disciplines. Their culture, which involves a large exchange of information within the hospital, has created a collaborative and innovative environment for our researchers and community at BWH.