Understanding coronary artery calcium and its impact on heart disease risk
Official title: Coronary artery calcium synthetic cohort and lifetime percentile project (CACSC-LPP)
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10893488 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on improving a test that measures calcium in your heart arteries to better understand your risk for heart disease, especially for people from different backgrounds, and it will also create a helpful website and app to make it easier for you and your doctor to understand the results.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $122,813 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HL170274-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893488 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals across a wide age range, particularly younger adults and those from racial/ethnic minorities with increased CVD risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have coronary artery disease or are not at risk for cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on coronary artery calcium (CAC) testing, which measures the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries and is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The project aims to develop more accurate CAC percentile data that reflects a diverse population, particularly including underrepresented groups like South Asians. Additionally, it will create a centralized resource, including a website and mobile app, to help patients and healthcare providers interpret CAC scores effectively. By addressing these gaps, the research seeks to improve decision-making regarding CVD prevention and treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better risk assessment and prevention strategies for heart disease, particularly for diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using CAC scoring for cardiovascular risk assessment, but this project aims to expand and diversify the existing data.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whelton, Seamus Paul — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Whelton, Seamus Paul
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.