Extreme heat and heart attack risk: who is most at risk and why
Official title: Extreme Heat and Acute Myocardial Infarction: Effect Modifications by Sex, Medical History, and Air Pollution
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11408435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
High heat and air pollution may raise the risk of heart attacks, and this project looks at who is most affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $729,439 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169171-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 18 and older, including young and older adults, who have experienced or may experience acute myocardial infarction.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not affected by heart attacks or those not exposed to high heat or air pollution may not see direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project uses nationwide cohorts to study how extreme heat and air pollution might trigger heart attacks. Researchers will combine medical records with weather and air quality data to examine patterns over time. The goal is to understand if factors like sex, income, medical history, or medications change a person’s vulnerability. The study design uses advanced methods to compare exposure periods and control for other influences. If successful, the findings could help tailor prevention for those most at risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: People at higher risk for heat-related heart attacks could receive better guidance and prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows links between heat, air pollution, and heart events, but this project explores modifiers and interactions in detail.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Kai — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Kai
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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.