NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

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 University of Minnesota · NIH-11310311 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at heart health in men and women aged 45-84 who don’t have any symptoms, to see how early signs of heart disease develop over time, and it’s for people from different backgrounds who want to help us learn more about keeping hearts healthy.

More Atherosclerosis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project startDecember 19, 2024
Project endApril 11, 2025
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$199,530
NIH project number75N92020D00006-0-759202500001-1
Project IDNIH-11310311 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are men and women aged 45-84 from various ethnic backgrounds who do not have clinical cardiovascular disease.

Less likely to help

Patients who are younger than 45 or already have diagnosed 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, alongside evaluations of lifestyle and genetic factors. The study aims to follow these individuals over time to understand how subclinical conditions develop into more serious heart issues. This ongoing research seeks to enhance our understanding of cardiovascular health across different ethnic backgrounds.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease tailored to diverse populations.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on cardiovascular health in diverse populations have shown promising results, indicating that this approach is both relevant and necessary.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Minnesota
    Minneapolis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Pankow, James S — University of Minnesota
  • Study coordinator: Pankow, James S

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.