Investigating how body fat affects heart disease risk and lipid levels
Official title: Multi-omic investigation of the adiposity-lipid intersection and its role in cardiovascular disease risk
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10948413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how extra body fat affects heart disease and whether anti-obesity medications can help lower that risk, using a lot of health data to see how body fat interacts with things like cholesterol and blood pressure over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $171,450 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HL175031-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948413 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with excess body fat who are at risk for heart disease and may be considering anti-obesity medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or do not have cardiovascular risk factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between excess body fat and heart disease, focusing on how anti-obesity medications (AOMs) may reduce heart disease risk. By analyzing large datasets that include genetic, clinical, and multi-omic data, the study aims to understand how body fat influences blood lipid levels and other risk factors for heart disease. The research will measure the interaction between genetic variants and adiposity, evaluate the impact of adipose tissue volume on lipid levels over time, and assess how other factors like blood pressure and blood sugar levels mediate the effects of AOMs on heart disease risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of how weight loss and AOMs contribute to heart disease risk reduction, potentially informing better treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the biological mechanisms linking obesity and heart disease can lead to significant advancements in treatment, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dron, Jacqueline Shirley — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dron, Jacqueline Shirley
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
-
Food allergy antibodies linked to heart disease risk in adults
Many adults have antibodies to foods without symptoms, and this study asks whether those antibodies are linked to higher risk of heart disease and related conditions.
-
Mindfulness training to lower cardiovascular risk for moms and babies during pregnancy
A mindfulness program is being tested during pregnancy to help prevent high blood pressure and heart problems for mothers and their babies.
-
Integrating clinical pharmacists into HIV care to reduce cardiovascular disease in people with HIV
A pharmacist-led program in HIV care aims to prevent and manage heart disease risks like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol in people living with HIV.
-
Integrating heart care into HIV services in Botswana using statins
This project tests a simple, scalable approach to help people with HIV in Botswana start and stay on statin therapy to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
-
A heart-healthy program for aging HIV patients using therapy pets to help blood pressure
A study tests whether using the human-animal bond from dog ownership can help older adults living with HIV control their blood pressure and improve heart health.
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.