Understanding Hospital Stays for Older Adults with Heart Failure

A Life Course Approach to Identify Risks of Hospitalization in Older Adults with Heart Failure

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-11134724

This research looks at patterns of hospitalizations in older adults with heart failure to find better ways to prevent future stays.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11134724 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Heart failure is a major reason why older adults go to the hospital, and many return soon after being discharged. Current efforts to reduce these repeat hospitalizations haven't been as successful as hoped because they often focus on short periods of time. Our project takes a broader look at a patient's entire experience with heart failure to understand the common patterns of hospital stays. We want to learn which patients are most likely to follow these patterns and what factors could help prevent them from needing to return to the hospital.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research focuses on data from older adults, aged 65 and above, who have been diagnosed with heart failure and have experienced hospitalizations.

Not a fit: Patients who are not older adults or do not have heart failure would not directly benefit from the findings of this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies that significantly reduce hospitalizations for older adults living with heart failure, improving their quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.

How similar studies have performed: Previous strategies to reduce hospital readmissions have been largely ineffective, suggesting this new 'life course' approach offers a novel perspective.

Where this research is happening

Durham, 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.