Heart, blood vessel, and kidney health after COVID-19

Cardiovascular Risk, Vascular and Kidney Damage in COVID-19 Survivors

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11239778

This project follows people who had COVID-19 to learn how the infection may affect their heart, blood vessels, and kidneys over months to years.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11239778 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you had COVID-19, researchers will track your medical records to see whether you have more heart problems over time than similar people who did not have COVID. They will also invite a smaller group of survivors to come in for detailed tests that measure blood vessel health, kidney function, and heart markers. The team combines experts in heart and kidney disease and will follow participants over months to years to look for new events and changes. Results will help identify factors that signal higher risk and could guide future monitoring or treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults who recovered from COVID-19 and receive care within the University of Pennsylvania health system, especially those willing to share health records and attend follow-up vascular and kidney testing.

Not a fit: People who never had COVID-19, who get care outside the participating health system, or who cannot attend follow-up visits are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could help doctors spot who is at higher risk for heart, vascular, or kidney problems after COVID and guide better monitoring or care.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows community-acquired pneumonia raises long-term heart risk and early COVID studies show vascular and kidney injury, but long-term outcomes after COVID-19 are not yet well established.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.