Investigating the heart risks of having both sleep apnea and COPD.
Official title: The cardiovascular consequences of sleep apnea plus COPD (Overlap syndrome)
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10912766 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how having both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects heart health, so if you have either condition or both, your participation could help us understand the risks and find better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $760,840 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166485-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912766 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with both obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have either obstructive sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the cardiovascular risks associated with the overlap of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), known as overlap syndrome (OVS). The study will compare cardiovascular risk markers in patients with OSA, COPD, and those with both conditions to determine how OVS affects heart health. Researchers will utilize advanced imaging techniques and blood tests to gather data on heart function and specific biomarkers. The goal is to clarify the mechanisms behind the increased cardiovascular risks in patients with OVS and explore potential treatment benefits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies that reduce cardiovascular risks for patients with overlap syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the cardiovascular impacts of sleep apnea and COPD, but this specific overlap syndrome approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malhotra, Atul — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Malhotra, Atul
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Overlap of sleep apnea and COPD and its heart effects
This grant looks at how having both COPD and sleep apnea affects the heart and whether treating sleep apnea can improve heart risk in people with overlap syndrome.
-
Heart effects of having both sleep apnea and COPD
This research looks at how having both COPD and obstructive sleep apnea affects the heart and blood vessels in adults with these conditions.
-
Investigating heart and lung health in patients with sleep apnea and COPD
This study is looking at how having both obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects heart health, and it's for people who have either or both of these conditions to help find better ways to treat them.
-
Omalizumab for COPD patients with allergen sensitization and exposure
A multicenter trial will test whether adding omalizumab helps people with COPD who are allergic to common indoor allergens and are exposed to them.
-
Clinical CT Imaging to identify and subtype pulmonary hypertension in COPD
A new CT imaging approach aims to help doctors detect and classify pulmonary hypertension in people with COPD.
-
Improving WTC responder mental health with personalized sleep treatment for COMISA
Aimed at helping World Trade Center responders who have both insomnia and sleep apnea feel better by using a tailored combination of sleep therapies.
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.