Lifestyle Intervention for Heart Disease Risk

This trial aims to evaluate how the Black Women's Stress and Wellness (B-SWELL) program might reduce heart disease risk in midlife Black women by emphasizing stress reduction and healthier lifestyle habits. Participants will be randomly assigned to either B-SWELL, which includes stress management and personalized health coaching, or a wellness education group that follows heart health guidelines. Both groups last eight weeks and can be attended in person or online. Black women living in Greater Cincinnati, aged 45-64, who can commit to weekly sessions and phone interviews, may be suitable for this study. As a Phase 2 trial, this research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering participants a chance to contribute to significant health advancements.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on lifestyle changes rather than medication adjustments.

Research has shown that the Black Women's Stress and Wellness (B-SWELL) program is safe and easy to follow. Studies on B-SWELL have found that it helps participants reduce stress and receive personalized health coaching to adopt healthier habits. Designed specifically for midlife Black women, the program aims to lower the risk of heart disease by improving heart health and lifestyle choices. Previous trials reported no major safety issues or negative effects from the program. Participants can feel confident about the program's safety, as it addresses their specific needs.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about the B-SWELL approach because it offers a culturally tailored intervention specifically for Black women, focusing on reducing stress and promoting heart health through personalized health coaching. Unlike standard treatments for heart disease risk, which often involve medication or generic lifestyle advice, B-SWELL emphasizes stress reduction and lifestyle changes using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 metrics. This personalized and culturally relevant method could potentially be more effective in engaging participants and leading to sustainable health improvements.

Research has shown that the B-SWELL program, which participants in this trial may receive, can improve heart health in midlife Black women by reducing stress and promoting healthier lifestyle choices. Studies have found that the program uses education, stress relief, and goal setting to build confidence in making healthy changes. B-SWELL is specially designed with sessions that consider cultural needs to lower the risk of heart disease. Participants in past studies demonstrated positive changes in their heart health and lifestyle habits. These encouraging results suggest that B-SWELL could effectively manage heart disease risk in this group. Meanwhile, another arm of this trial, the Wellness (WE) arm, serves as an attention control group focusing on the Life's Essential 8 metrics.¹²³⁴⁶