How pregnancy changes the heart
Mechanisms Contributing to Pregnancy-induced Cardiac Remodeling
This project explores how normal pregnancy changes the heart and its metabolism in pregnant people to help prevent pregnancy-related heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251193 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're pregnant, this research looks at how your heart grows and reshapes itself during pregnancy and then returns to normal after birth. Researchers will focus on the heart's metabolism — especially how it uses ketone bodies and glucose — and on the genes and cell programs that guide safe, reversible heart growth. They will use laboratory models and heart tissue studies to trace which metabolic pathways protect the heart and which might lead to lasting damage. The goal is to find biological targets that could be used in future tests or treatments to keep mothers' hearts healthy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant or recently postpartum people, especially those with high blood pressure, prior heart conditions, or a history of preeclampsia, would be the most relevant group for later clinical work.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant or whose heart problems are unrelated to pregnancy are unlikely to get direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could point to metabolic pathways or treatments that reduce pregnancy-related heart failure and other cardiovascular complications.
How similar studies have performed: Metabolic strategies like boosting ketone use have helped in heart failure and exercise models, but applying these ideas specifically to pregnancy-related heart changes is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Helen E — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Collins, Helen E
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 below.