NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Investigating heart disease risk factors in diverse communities

Official title: THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY - COORDINATING CENTER - TASK AREA B.2 AND B.3

Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11292917 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at what causes atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart disease, by gathering health information from middle-aged adults in four U.S. communities to help us better understand how to prevent heart problems in the future.

More Atherosclerosis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project startNovember 15, 2024
Project endSeptember 30, 2025
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$1,201,915
NIH project number75N92022D00001-0-759202500001-1
Project IDNIH-11292917 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include middle-aged adults, particularly those aged 45-64 years, from diverse racial backgrounds, especially African American individuals.

Less likely to help

Patients who are younger than 45 years or do not have a history of cardiovascular issues may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the risk factors and progression of atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart disease, by analyzing data from a large cohort of participants across four U.S. communities. The study involves ongoing clinical exams and surveillance of heart-related events, allowing researchers to track changes in health over time. Participants, primarily middle-aged white and African American adults, will contribute to identifying genetic and environmental influences on heart health. The findings aim to enhance knowledge about heart disease and improve prevention strategies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for heart disease, particularly in diverse populations.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on atherosclerosis and heart disease risk factors have shown significant success, indicating that this approach is grounded in established research.

Where this research is happening

  • Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Couper, David — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • Study coordinator: Couper, David

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.