Reducing cardiovascular risk by stopping alcohol use
Official title: Reducing Cardiovascular Risks: The Role of Alcohol Use
Funded at University of Texas Arlington · NIH-11432868 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A major NIIH-funded trial will test whether abstaining from alcohol improves heart and blood vessel health in adults who drink more than recommended.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Arlington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Arlington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $596,443 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA033398-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11432868 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ who drink beyond recommended limits but have no alcohol use disorder or existing heart disease.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with alcohol use disorder, existing cardiovascular disease, or those unwilling to participate in abstinence.
What this research studies
This study will enroll adults 21 and older who drink above recommended levels but do not have alcohol use disorder or cardiovascular disease. Participants will receive a new abstinence program built around the Know-Your-Number approach and will be monitored with self-reports, biomarkers, and smartwatch data. The research uses a randomized controlled design to measure changes in blood pressure, central and peripheral vascular function, and other heart risk factors before and after abstinence. Results will help clarify whether reducing or stopping drinking can reverse or lessen cardiovascular risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could provide strong evidence that stopping or reducing alcohol use lowers heart disease risk and guides clinician and patient decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests lifestyle changes can impact cardiovascular risk, but high-quality randomized trials on abstinence are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Arlington
Arlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hwang, Chueh-Lung — University of Texas Arlington
- Study coordinator: Hwang, Chueh-Lung
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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.