Contact 1 — CARRS Study

For Participants

We are greatly appreciative of all of our cohort participants. You are truly partners in our efforts to understand diabetes, heart disease, and chronic diseases. Lessons learned from this study are being used to control and prevent these conditions in our communities.

LET’S CONNECT

If you are a current study participant and would like to contact us, please send an email to:
participants@carrsprogram.org

We are not recruiting new participants at this time.

PARTICIPATION STEP-BY-STEP

Please take a look at the following videos, from each of our sites, to walk you through the participant process.

BENEFITS

We will provide the reports of your blood and urine tests, blood pressure tests, BMI, hand grip strength, as well as your heart function, stiffness and calcium in your arteries and heart, and amount of fat in your liver. A trained study staff member will explain these results to you. In case any abnormality is detected, you will be referred to a health care facility.
By participating in the study, you will be providing us with valuable information regarding burden of cardiovascular disease in the community. The specialized tests being done will help enable the early detection and prediction of heart diseases and stroke.
The results of the Echocardiography, Carotid ultrasound and CT scan will be given to you within 15 days of testing. If we find abnormalities, such as severe heart or valve disease, or blockage in the carotid arteries that you were not aware of, we will give you the provisional information earlier so that you can see your doctor for appropriate management and treatment.

RISKS

The risks of participating in this study are minimal.
During blood draw, there may be slight discomfort from the needle as it enters the skin, and a small bruise may occur. This will resolve in a few days. Dizziness and fainting are rare risks of blood draws, and we can minimize these by asking you to sit or lie down comfortably. There are no long-term side effects.
The ultrasound of the heart and neck and arterial stiffness measurements are free of risks. There may be discomfort as the probes are moved on your body.
The CT scan exposes you only to a very small amount of radiation so the risk for radiation exposure is very low.
Those who are pregnant or nursing a child may choose to not take part in this study. Investigations for pregnant or breastfeeding women will be scheduled at a later date.

CHRONIC DISEASE IN SOUTH ASIA:
FACT SHEETS

Cardiovascular Diseases

Hypertension

Diabetes

HEALTH TIPS

We can do many things in our daily lives to prevent and control chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Some of the most important factors for preventing and controlling these conditions include nutrition and diet, physical activity, mental health, sleep, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

NUTRITION & DIET

People with healthy eating patterns live longer and are at lower risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

Healthy Eating Tips for South Asians