Can a blood pressure drug shield hearts from secondhand smoke damage?

NCT ID NCT04715568

NEW Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026

Summary

This trial tests whether losartan, a common blood pressure medication, can improve heart and blood vessel function in adults who were exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke for many years, such as former flight attendants or casino workers. Participants will receive either losartan or a placebo in a crossover design, and researchers will measure heart function, arterial stiffness, and exercise capacity using MRI and other tests. The goal is to see if this drug can help counteract the hidden cardiovascular damage caused by chronic smoke exposure.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: losartan (an angiotensin receptor blocker, commonly used for high blood pressure)
What this could lead to: If effective, losartan could become a treatment to protect heart and blood vessel health in people with a history of long-term secondhand smoke exposure.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage crossover trial. Results may not apply to everyone, and losartan can have side effects like dizziness or low blood pressure.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cardiovascular disorder hypertensive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES HYPERTENSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

San Francisco Veterans' Affairs Medical Center
RECRUITING

San Francisco, California, 94121, United States

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