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Crystal Cenell Tyson

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Medicine, Nephrology
2727 Erwin Road, Suite 605, Durham, NC 27705

Overview


As a board-certified nephrologist and a certified clinical hypertension specialist (ASH-SCH), I take care of patients with kidney disorders and/or high blood pressure. Patients with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure have an increased risk for developing complications of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks, congestive heart failure, strokes, kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant, and a shortened lifespan. My clinical focus is to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease and reduce complications from cardiovascular disease with lifestyle modification. I particularly enjoy treating patients with severe or difficult to control high blood pressure by focusing on finding an effective medication regimen that provides the least side effects, eliminating ineffective medications, simplifying medication schedules, and promoting healthy lifestyle behavior. I see patients 2 days per week in the Duke Nephrology Clinic and the Duke Nephrology Hypertension Clinic.

My research interests are to reduce racial and health disparities among patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease using lifestyle modifications. My past and current research investigates the effects of diet (i.e., the DASH diet, sodium reduction), exercise, and weight loss on blood pressure and kidney function, as well as the effect of bilateral renal artery denervation on blood pressure.

Office Hours


Duke South Clinic 2B/2C: Tuesdays 8:30a -12:30p
Duke Health Center at North Duke Street: Wednesdays 8:30a - 12:30p

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor of Medicine · 2021 - Present Medicine, Nephrology, Medicine
Medical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine · 2016 - Present Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

In the News


Published April 25, 2014
Study: Diets rich in veggies, fruits ward off hypertension

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Recent Publications


Effects of a Digital Intervention to Improve DASH and Blood Pressure Among US Adults.

Journal Article Hypertension · February 2025 BACKGROUND: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a recommended first-line treatment for adults with hypertension, yet adherence to DASH is low. To evaluate the efficacy of a digital health intervention (DHI), compared with attention control, o ... Full text Link to item Cite

Longitudinal Pilot Evaluation of the Gut Microbiota Comparing Patients With and Without Chronic Kidney Disease.

Journal Article J Ren Nutr · July 2024 OBJECTIVE: The gut microbiota contributes to metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, but is poorly characterized in chronic kidney disease (CKD). DESIGN AND METHODS: We enrolled 24 adults within household pairs, in which at least one member ... Full text Link to item Cite

Effects of Lifestyle Modification on Psychosocial Function in Patients With Resistant Hypertension: SECONDARY OUTCOMES FROM THE TRIUMPH RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.

Journal Article J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev · January 1, 2024 PURPOSE: In a secondary analysis of the TRIUMPH clinical trial, psychological outcomes in patients with resistant hypertension (RH) receiving a diet and exercise intervention delivered in a cardiac rehabilitation setting were compared with those receiving ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Planning grant for clinical trial of implicit bias mitigation training for clinicians

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2027

Cardiorenal Genomics for Risk Prediction in African American Descent Populations

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by University of Alabama at Birmingham · 2023 - 2026

Diet and Hypertension Management in Chronic Kidney Disease

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


Wayne State University, School of Medicine · 2005 M.D.