Investigating the progression of heart disease in diverse populations
Official title: MULTI-ETHNIC STUDY OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS (MESA), FIELD CENTER (FC): TASK AREA A - CORE OPERATIONS
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11310308 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different factors, like genetics and lifestyle, affect heart health over time in men and women aged 45-84 who don’t have any symptoms of heart disease yet, using tests like CT scans and MRIs to check their heart and blood vessels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | December 19, 2024 |
| Project end | April 11, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $181,486 |
| NIH project number | 75N92020D00007-0-759202500001-1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310308 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men and women aged 45-84 with no prior evidence of clinical cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 45 or have existing cardiovascular disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) examines the early signs and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in a diverse group of men and women aged 45-84 who initially showed no symptoms. Participants undergo various imaging tests, including CT scans and MRIs, to assess heart and blood vessel health. The study also looks at genetic factors, lifestyle, and other characteristics to understand how these elements contribute to heart disease over time. Follow-up examinations are conducted to track changes and outcomes in participants' cardiovascular health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating cardiovascular disease in diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on cardiovascular disease have shown success in identifying risk factors and improving patient outcomes, making this approach both validated and essential.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bertoni, Alain Gerald — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Bertoni, Alain Gerald
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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.