Understanding how heart stiffness changes in aging women, especially during menopause.

Evaluating the natural evolution of myocardial stiffness in aging, sex differences, and through menopause transition in women, using a free-breathing magnetic resonance elastography approach

NIH-funded research Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11004034

This study is looking at how heart stiffness changes in women as they get older, especially during menopause, to help understand how hormones might affect heart health and find ways to catch potential problems early.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11004034 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how heart stiffness evolves in women as they age, particularly during the menopausal transition. It aims to understand the hormonal changes that may contribute to increased stiffness, which can lead to heart failure. Using a non-invasive technique called magnetic resonance elastography, the study will establish normal stiffness values and explore sex differences in heart health. This approach allows for better monitoring and potential early intervention strategies for cardiovascular disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are post-menopausal women or those approaching menopause who are concerned about heart health.

Not a fit: Patients who are not women or those who are not experiencing menopause may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for heart disease in post-menopausal women.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cardiovascular changes during menopause, but this specific approach using non-invasive imaging is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, 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.