Genetic risk factors for heart attack in people with coronary artery disease
Official title: Genetic Predisposition to Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11370037 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how genes influence the risk of having a heart attack among people who already have coronary artery disease, with the goal of improving risk prediction and prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $685,633 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168493-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370037 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with diagnosed coronary artery disease who may or may not have experienced a prior heart attack, particularly those interested in genetic risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without CAD or those not seeking genetic risk information for heart attack prevention may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates why some individuals with coronary artery disease experience a heart attack while others do not, by examining genetic differences and how they influence plaque rupture and clotting. Using large-scale genetics and bioinformatics analyses, the team has identified MI-specific genetic loci, including the gene SLC44A3, that may drive heart attack risk beyond general atherosclerosis. The study compares patients with CAD who have experienced MI to those with CAD who have not, to uncover factors uniquely linked to MI. Findings could lead to better risk stratification and personalized prevention strategies for people with CAD. The research is led by UC Los Angeles and involves collaboration across multiple populations and advanced genomic methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve how we predict heart attack risk in people with CAD and tailor prevention strategies to individuals based on their genetic profile.
How similar studies have gone: prior large-scale genetic studies have linked specific loci to MI risk, with ongoing replication in diverse populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allayee, Hooman — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Allayee, Hooman
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding Genetic Risks for Heart Attacks in People with Heart Disease
This project aims to discover the genetic factors that make some people with heart disease more likely to have a heart attack.
-
Anti-inflammatory signaling of a key protein in heart attack recovery
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-
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This grant studies a specific cell-death pathway (RIPK3) to protect the heart after a heart attack, with the goal of reducing damage and improving recovery.
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mRNA lipid nanoparticles to help heart attack patients grow healthier blood vessels
A heart-attack study tests a new treatment that uses messenger RNA delivery with tiny fat bubbles to promote normal blood vessel growth in damaged heart tissue.
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Targeted nanotherapy to calm inflammation, grow new blood vessels, and prevent scarring after a heart attack
A new treatment approach uses engineered secretions from immune cells delivered early after a heart attack to reduce inflammation, promote blood vessel growth, and limit scarring to protect heart function.
-
Why heart attacks and strokes affect people differently across places and races
This project follows adults across the U.S. to see how lifelong social and neighborhood factors shape heart attacks, heart failure, and recovery, with attention to Black adults and regions with high disease rates.
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.