Understanding heart and brain interactions during sleep to prevent heart disease

Eavesdropping on heart-brain conversations during sleep for early detection and prevention of fatal cardiovascular disease

NIH-funded research Veterans Health Foundation · NIH-10975895

This study is looking at how your heart and brain talk to each other while you sleep to find early warning signs of heart problems, helping to keep you safe from serious issues like sudden cardiac arrest.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Health Foundation NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10975895 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the heart and brain communicate during sleep to identify early signs of cardiovascular disease. By analyzing electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data, the study aims to uncover hidden patterns that indicate potential heart issues before they become critical. The approach is innovative, utilizing unique signatures detected during sleep when the body is less active, which current clinical methods often miss. This could lead to better monitoring and prevention strategies for conditions like sudden cardiac arrest.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease, particularly those with a history of heart issues or sleep disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for cardiovascular disease or do not experience sleep-related health issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and prevention of fatal cardiovascular diseases, potentially saving thousands of lives.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach is innovative, preliminary studies have shown promise in identifying critical cardiovascular disease signatures, suggesting potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.