Utah Vascular Research Laboratory

We’ve known for some time that cardiovascular disease ranks number one among causes of death in the U.S. In the top five, it accounts for more deaths than the than the other four causes of death combined. Researchers at Utah Vascular Research Laboratory at the University of Utah and the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center are trying to change that. Russell Richardson and his associates are conducting research to determine the factors which affect the blood vessels of people in healthy and diseased conditions.

“We do research on all types of people and try to work on things that are relevant to people,” says Research Assistant Stephen Ives.

Medical research over the years has drastically reduced the impact of many diseases in our world. The lab has several different studies going on at the same time but all of them are associated with vascular health. Stephen says the lab relies heavily on volunteers to work with researchers.

The studies are all different; they take volunteers of all ages and in both good and poor health. Some of the studies are quite basic and take a small amount of time. Others are more complicated and require a longer time commitment.

Volunteers are compensated for their time, ranging from $20 to150 per visit depending on the complexity of the study. They also receive information regarding their health during the study for things like blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.

“Volunteers are incredibly important to our research,” Stephen says. “None of the research we’ve done would have happened without our volunteers.”

Because they are working on several different studies at a time, the lab has a study to fit almost anyone. Most of the studies are fairly easy and don’t require a huge time commitment. A few are more complicated and require more time at the hospital.The Utah Vascular Research Laboratory is located at the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center at 500 Foothill Drive, Building Two. For more information about the studies being conducted at the laboratory, please contact Van Reese at 801.582.1565 ext 4-4335 or at van.reese@hsc.utah.edu. You can also get more information about the laboratory at www.uvrl.org.