Investigating how stress and hormones affect heart health differently in men and women
Stress, Vascular Function, and Inflammation as Mechanisms of Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Risk
This study is looking at how stress and hormones affect heart health, especially to understand why younger women with heart disease might respond differently to stress than men, and it’s for anyone interested in learning more about heart health differences between genders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10899768 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of stress and sex hormones on cardiovascular health, particularly focusing on how these factors contribute to differences in heart disease risk between men and women. It involves clinical training in stress testing and vascular physiology, as well as studying ovarian function and hormone levels. The goal is to understand why younger women with coronary heart disease experience different vascular responses to stress compared to men, and how this may relate to inflammation and overall heart health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women under 60 years of age who have coronary heart disease or are at risk for cardiovascular issues.
Not a fit: Patients who are men or women over 60 years of age may not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease in women, potentially reducing their risk and enhancing their health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that sex differences in cardiovascular responses to stress exist, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sullivan, Samaah M — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Sullivan, Samaah M
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 below.