Examining how sex and gender differences affect heart disease risk in rural communities
Official title: Investigation of Sex and Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Risk in Rural Communities
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11032736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how living in rural areas affects women's heart health, especially the risk of early heart disease, by exploring how things like stress and access to healthcare play a role, and it involves about 3,800 people aged 25-64 using smartphone technology to track their daily stress and heart health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $944,154 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL163998-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women aged 25-64 living in rural areas of the Southern United States.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the specified age range or those living in urban areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the unique cardiovascular risks faced by women living in rural areas of the United States, particularly focusing on the increase in premature coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. It aims to understand how social and psychological factors, such as gender stereotypes and limited access to healthcare, contribute to these risks. By partnering with an existing cohort study, the research will analyze data from around 3,800 individuals aged 25-64, utilizing innovative smartphone technology to assess everyday stress and its impact on heart health. The study will explore the interplay between biological and social factors in influencing cardiovascular health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and targeted interventions for reducing heart disease risk among rural women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that addressing social and psychological factors can significantly impact cardiovascular health, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Amit Jasvant — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Shah, Amit Jasvant
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cardiovascular risk planning and reduction for men with prostate cancer
A program to better predict and reduce heart disease risk in men treated for prostate cancer, especially older patients.
-
Traumatic Stress, Epigenetic Aging, and Heart Risk in Veterans
A large study using Veterans Affairs data to see if traumatic stress and faster biological aging relate to higher risk of stroke and heart disease.
-
Lifestyle plan to protect muscle and heart health for adults with obesity using GLP-1 medications
A real-world trial tests a combined nutrition and resistance-training program versus standard care for adults starting GLP-1 weight loss drugs to preserve lean mass and cardiovascular health.
-
Role of the body's natural cannabis-like system in diabetes progression and heart risk
This grant studies how the body's endocannabinoid system affects the progression from obesity to diabetes and the associated risk for cardiovascular disease in adults.
-
Community and Peer Support for Reducing Cardiovascular Risk
Aims to understand how community and peer programs can help people lower cardiovascular risk, by analyzing existing programs and how their implementation and social support influence outcomes.
-
CardioPredict ML: A smarter way to gauge heart risk before pregnancy
A machine learning tool helps identify women at risk for pregnancy-related heart problems before conception, using health records and prior pregnancy data.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.