Improving breathing and exercise ability in heart failure patients
Official title: Targeting breathing limitations to improve functional outcomes in HFpEF
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10871825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why people with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have trouble breathing and struggle with exercise, especially how being overweight might make these issues worse, with the goal of finding better ways to help improve their breathing and overall quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $134,044 |
| NIH project number | 5K99HL164957-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10871825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction, particularly those who are also experiencing obesity-related breathing difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without heart failure or those who do not have obesity-related symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the causes of breathing difficulties and exercise intolerance in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), particularly focusing on how obesity may exacerbate these symptoms. The study aims to understand the physiological mechanisms behind dyspnea on exertion (DOE) and how obesity affects breathing mechanics during physical activity. By identifying these factors, the research seeks to develop new therapeutic strategies to alleviate these debilitating symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve breathing and exercise capacity for patients with heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that addressing obesity-related breathing issues can improve outcomes in similar patient populations, suggesting a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balmain, Bryce — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Balmain, Bryce
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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.