Investigating how heating the lower legs can improve blood vessel function in pregnant women with obesity
Official title: Vascular and neural mechanisms of chronic lower leg heating in pregnant women with obesity
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11130088 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how warming the lower legs might help improve blood flow and lower the chances of high blood pressure problems during pregnancy for women who are obese.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $670,890 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL172349-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11130088 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women with obesity who are between 12-14 weeks of gestation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those without obesity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of chronic lower leg heating on vascular and neural functions in pregnant women who are obese. The study aims to understand how this heating method can improve blood vessel function and reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. By enrolling 118 participants, the researchers will compare the effects of lower leg heating against a control group over a 16-week period. This approach may help identify new ways to manage blood pressure and cardiovascular risks in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new non-invasive treatments to reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women with obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that whole-body heat exposure can improve vascular function in non-pregnant individuals, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fu, Qi — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Fu, Qi
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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.