Exploring how stress affects heart disease risk
Official title: Understanding the link between stressful life events and cardiovascular disease risk: A health neuroscience approach
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10995964 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how stressful life events and negative emotions might affect your heart health, especially in relation to a condition called atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and it aims to find out how managing your feelings could help protect your heart.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $77,607 |
| NIH project number | 1F32HL176202-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995964 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who have experienced significant stress and may be at risk for cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of stress-related health issues or existing cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between stressful life events and the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). It focuses on understanding how emotional patterns, particularly negative feelings, influence individual susceptibility to CVD after experiencing stress. The study employs behavioral and neuroscientific methods to assess brain activity related to emotions and how these may protect against heart disease. By identifying the mechanisms involved, the research aims to clarify who is most at risk and how emotional regulation can mitigate these risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for preventing heart disease in individuals exposed to stress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between stress and cardiovascular health, indicating that this approach has potential for significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu-Chung, E. Lydia — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Wu-Chung, E. Lydia
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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.