Understanding how sex differences affect heart disease risk
Sex-Specific Risk of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease
This study is looking into why men are more likely to develop heart disease than women, focusing on how male hormones might help protect muscles but could also affect heart health, and it aims to find ways to improve health for everyone by understanding these differences better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11054669 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates why men are at a higher risk for coronary heart disease compared to women, particularly focusing on the role of androgens, which are male hormones. It aims to uncover the mechanisms behind the protective effects of androgens in muscle health and their potential harmful effects on heart disease. The study will explore sex-specific risk factors for conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, using both human data and transgenic mouse models to better understand these differences. By identifying these pathways, the research seeks to inform targeted therapies that could improve health outcomes for both men and women.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include men and women at risk for coronary heart disease, particularly those with conditions like obesity, hypertension, or high cholesterol.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have risk factors for coronary heart disease or those who are not interested in understanding sex-specific health issues may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies for heart disease tailored to individual sex differences.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding sex differences in cardiovascular health, but this specific approach using transgenic models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stafford, John Michael — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Stafford, John Michael
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 below.