Investigating cardiovascular disease in Native American populations

STRONG HEART STUDY (SHS) - FIELD CENTER, TASK ORDER 001, BASE PERIOD, FEBRUARY 15, 2019 TO FEBRUARY 14, 2020

NIH-funded research Medstar Health Research Institute · NIH-11286716

The Strong Heart Study is a long-term project that looks at heart health in Native Americans by following two groups of people over many years to learn more about heart disease and its causes.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMedstar Health Research Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hyattsville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11286716 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The Strong Heart Study (SHS) is a long-term observational project that follows two groups of participants, originally recruited in the late 1980s and late 1990s, to understand cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Native Americans. This study aims to explore the causes and progression of CVD by collecting health data and conducting clinical examinations over time. It collaborates with 12 Tribal Nations across Arizona, Oklahoma, and the Dakotas to ensure community engagement and relevance in the findings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are Native American individuals, particularly those with a family history of cardiovascular disease or related risk factors.

Not a fit: Patients who are not of Native American descent or those without cardiovascular disease risk factors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease in Native American communities.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies focusing on cardiovascular disease in similar populations have shown promising results, indicating that this approach is both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

Hyattsville, 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.
Conditions cardiovascular disease riskCardiovascular Diseasescardiovascular disordercardiovascular disorder risk
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.