Pregnancy, lupus, and heart health in women with lupus
Official title: Pregnancy and cardiovascular health in caring for women with systemic lupus erythematosus
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11415013 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how managing lupus during pregnancy can affect blood pressure and heart health for women with the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $347,419 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR084253-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415013 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus, particularly those considering pregnancy or already pregnant.
✕Less likely to help
If lupus is not active or if pregnancy is not pursued, benefit may be limited.
What this research studies
Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) often face pregnancy-related health challenges, including higher risk of preeclampsia. The project will explore how lupus treatments, such as hydroxychloroquine and other safe medications during pregnancy, may influence hypertensive disorders and cardiovascular outcomes. By examining medical management during pregnancy, the research aims to identify strategies that could protect both mother and baby. The findings could guide safer treatment choices for pregnant women living with lupus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to clearer guidelines for safer lupus management during pregnancy and lower risks of preeclampsia and cardiovascular complications for mothers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on lupus and pregnancy are limited and have small sample sizes; this project aims to add more robust evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howards, Penelope P. — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Howards, Penelope P.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding cardiovascular health in children and adults with lupus
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-
Assessing heart health in children and adults with lupus
This study is looking at how lupus that starts in childhood can impact heart health, especially by checking nighttime blood pressure, to find ways to help improve heart health for those living with lupus.
-
Cardiovascular health in the offspring of pregnancies affected by gestational glucose and weight
This study follows young adults whose mothers had gestational diabetes or related conditions to understand how pregnancy health affects their heart and blood vessel health over time.
-
Immunostimulatory short non-coding RNAs and lupus
A study in people with lupus looks at tiny RNA pieces that may spark inflammation, to understand if they drive disease activity.
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Antiviral factors that limit HIV in people with SLE
Researchers at Howard University are studying how immune factors in people with lupus may help limit HIV infection.
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Glycemic and metabolic profiling during pregnancy to predict future heart disease risk
A pregnancy-focused study uses blood tests and metabolic data to predict a mom’s risk of cardiovascular disease years after delivery.
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.