Investigating the link between menopause, fat hormones, and heart health in older women

Adipokines, Sex Hormones and Cardiac Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women of the MESA Study – An analysis of Secondary Data

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-10690544

This study is looking at how menopause affects heart health in women by exploring the role of certain hormones and using advanced imaging to see how these changes might impact the heart, with the goal of finding better ways to prevent and treat heart problems after menopause.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10690544 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research examines how menopause affects heart health in women, particularly focusing on the role of fat hormones called adipokines. By analyzing data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), the study aims to understand how these hormones influence heart structure and function, especially in postmenopausal women. The research utilizes advanced imaging techniques like MRI to assess cardiac health and explores the relationship between menopausal age, body composition, and heart failure risk. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for heart issues related to menopause.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are postmenopausal women, particularly those experiencing heart health issues or obesity.

Not a fit: Patients who are not postmenopausal or do not have concerns related to heart health may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of heart health in postmenopausal women.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown associations between menopause and heart health, but this study aims to explore these relationships in a novel way using comprehensive data analysis.

Where this research is happening

Davis, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.