Investigating arterial stiffness in mothers and infants to prevent heart disease
Official title: Arterial stiffness in mother/infant dyads: Life course approach to prevent cardiovascular disease
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11170261 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stiff arteries can impact the heart health of moms and their babies during and after pregnancy, especially for non-Hispanic Black and Latina women, to help create better care practices that keep both mothers and their children healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $176,657 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL157075-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11170261 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women, particularly those who are healthy or have medical complications, and their infants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who do not have a connection to maternal health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how arterial stiffness affects both mothers and their infants, particularly during and after pregnancy. By measuring central pulse wave velocity, a key indicator of vascular health, the study aims to identify cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks that are often overlooked in women, especially among non-Hispanic Black and Latina populations. The research will involve a cohort of 840 pregnant women and their infants, tracking health outcomes for three years postpartum. The goal is to develop effective care practices that can reduce CVD risk for both mothers and their children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease in women and their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early detection of cardiovascular risks during pregnancy can lead to better health outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Michelle — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Michelle
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Investigating arterial stiffness in mothers and infants to prevent heart disease
This study is looking at how the stiffness of blood vessels affects the heart health of pregnant women and their babies, and it aims to find ways to lower the risk of heart disease for both moms and kids over three years after childbirth.
-
Investigating arterial stiffness in mothers and infants to prevent heart disease
This study is looking at how the stiffness of blood vessels in pregnant women and their babies can help us understand the risk of heart problems later on, especially for non-Hispanic Black and Latina families, so we can find better ways to keep both moms and their kids healthy.
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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.