Atherosclerosis

This early-stage study tests STX-1150, a new medicine that temporarily turns off a gene (PCSK9) in the liver to lower bad cholesterol (LDL-C). It does not change your DNA. Up to 64 adults with high LDL-C will receive one or more doses and be followed for a year. The main goal is …

This study tests a drug called CSL300 in people with end-stage kidney disease who are on dialysis and have signs of inflammation. The goal is to see if it can reduce the risk of heart attacks or heart-related death. About 3110 adults will take part, and half will get the drug whi…

This study tests whether anifrolumab, a drug that blocks certain immune signals, can improve blood vessel function and reduce inflammation in people with lupus. About 45 adults with lupus will receive either the drug or a placebo over 8 months. Researchers will measure changes in…

This study tests whether doing wall squat exercises for 14 minutes, three times a week, can lower blood pressure and slow the buildup of plaque in arteries. Researchers will compare 100 people doing the squats with 100 people doing gentle stretching, all with high blood pressure.…

This study tests a drug called YN001 in 456 adults with coronary atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in heart arteries). Participants receive weekly injections of YN001 or a placebo for 13 weeks. The main goal is to see if YN001 reduces plaque volume in the arteries, as measured by a…

This study tests a drug called lepodisiran in 252 adults with high levels of Lp(a), a protein linked to heart disease. Participants must have heart disease or be at risk for a first heart event. The drug is given as an injection and compared to a placebo to see if it reduces plaq…

This Phase 3 trial is testing an injectable drug called HRS9531 in about 9,200 people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (hardened arteries). The goal is to see if it can lower the chance of major heart problems like heart attack, stroke, or death. Participants receive e…

This Phase 3 trial tests an oral drug called muvalaplin in over 10,000 adults with high levels of lipoprotein(a), a genetic risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Participants either have had a prior cardiovascular event or are at high risk for a first one. The study measures …

This phase 3 study is testing whether a new drug called maridebart cafraglutide (MariTide) can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death in people with heart disease who are overweight or obese. About 12,800 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo, added…

This study tests a drug called selnoflast in 162 people with atherosclerosis (hardened arteries) who are at high risk for heart attacks or strokes. The goal is to see if selnoflast can reduce inflammation inside the arteries, measured by a special PET scan, compared to a placebo.…

This study will screen 1,500 people with early signs of heart disease (plaque in arteries) to see if two common drugs—rosuvastatin and colchicine—can reduce or stabilize that plaque over two years. Participants will take pills daily and get heart-healthy lifestyle advice. The goa…

This phase 3 trial is testing an experimental daily pill called AZD0780 in about 15,100 people who have had a heart attack, stroke, or are at high risk for one. The drug works by blocking a protein called PCSK9 to lower cholesterol. Researchers want to see if it reduces the chanc…

This study follows about 52 people with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), a rare genetic condition causing extremely high cholesterol and early heart disease. Researchers will compare those who get evinacumab (a cholesterol-lowering antibody) added to their usual t…

This study investigates whether aggressive lipid-lowering therapy can reduce plaque buildup in the heart arteries of melanoma patients starting immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Participants with plaque detected on a heart CT scan are randomly assigned to either usual care or …

This study tests whether adding pelacarsen to inclisiran can further lower a type of cholesterol called Lp(a) in people with heart disease. About 340 adults with high Lp(a) and LDL-C will receive either pelacarsen or a placebo, plus inclisiran. The main goal is to see if Lp(a) le…

This study is for people with high levels of Lp(a), a genetic risk factor for heart disease, who have already completed a prior pelacarsen trial. It will give them continued access to the drug while monitoring long-term safety and how well it keeps Lp(a) levels low. About 600 par…

This trial tests whether a 'care champion' — a person who calls patients after they leave the hospital following a heart attack or stent procedure — can help them get their LDL cholesterol to a healthy level. Participants also receive education for their doctors. The study compar…

This trial tests whether colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug used for gout, can reduce inflammation in the coronary arteries of people with HIV who have high cardiovascular risk. Participants take either colchicine or a placebo daily for 96 weeks, and changes in artery inflamma…

This trial compares three cholesterol-lowering treatments—pitavastatin alone, pitavastatin plus ezetimibe, and atorvastatin—to see how they affect blood sugar control in people with heart disease and metabolic syndrome (but not diabetes). The main focus is on insulin resistance a…

This early-stage trial tests a drug called CSL300 (clazakizumab) in 24 Chinese adults with end-stage kidney disease who are on dialysis. The drug is an antibody that blocks interleukin-6, a protein involved in inflammation. The main goal is to see how the drug moves through the b…

This early-stage trial tests whether an experimental drug called UDP-003 is safe in healthy volunteers and people with heart disease. Researchers will give single or multiple doses of the drug or a placebo and monitor for side effects. The study includes 84 participants and is th…

This program provides access to pelacarsen, a drug for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, for patients who have no other treatment options and cannot join a clinical trial. It is for those with serious or life-threatening conditions where the potential benefit outweighs the …

This study compares two cholesterol-lowering strategies in about 1,950 adults with chronic kidney disease and heart or blood vessel disease. One group gets a moderate-dose statin plus ezetimibe, the other gets a high-dose statin alone. The goal is to see if the combo is just as g…

This study tests whether using HEPA air filters at home can slow the progression of heart disease in adults aged 65-84 who have a history of ischemic heart disease. Over 112 participants in Los Angeles will use real or sham filters for several months, and researchers will measure…

This study looks at whether combining two different cholesterol-lowering drugs (inclisiran and alirocumab) works better than using either alone. About 60 adults with high heart risk who cannot take statins will be assigned to one of three groups. The goal is to see if the combo l…

This study tests whether dapagliflozin, a diabetes medication, can slow or reverse plaque buildup in the heart arteries of people with type 2 diabetes. About 144 adults with stable heart disease will take either the drug plus standard care or standard care alone for 18 months. Re…

This study tests a new decision-making tool called IMPROVE that uses MRI scans to detect unstable plaques in the carotid artery. The goal is to see if this method is at least as good as the current standard (which mainly looks at how narrow the artery is) for selecting which pati…

This study tests whether a drug called icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) can reduce inflammation in the arteries of people hospitalized with pneumonia. Pneumonia can trigger body-wide inflammation that may harm blood vessels. Researchers will give 168 adults either Vascepa or a placebo t…

This study tests whether a targeted lipid optimization program—combining clinic visits and virtual sessions—helps high-risk heart disease patients in Abu Dhabi achieve better LDL cholesterol control. About 326 adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease will be randomly as…

This study compares two drugs, choline fenofibrate and policosanol, in 56 Korean adults with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol who have early signs of artery plaque. The goal is to see if choline fenofibrate can reduce plaque buildup in the carotid artery, measured by 3D ultra…

This study compares two medications, clopidogrel and cilostazol, to see if they can slow down the buildup of plaque in the neck arteries of people with type 2 diabetes. The goal is to prevent future heart attacks and strokes. About 120 adults with diabetes and early signs of arte…

This study looks at whether adding omega-3 to a common statin (atorvastatin) can better reduce plaque buildup in the neck arteries of people with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. About 105 adults will be randomly assigned to get either atorvastatin plus omega-3 or atorvastat…

This study tests whether a smartphone app can help people with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) stick to their new statin medication. About 250 adults who need to start a high-dose statin will either receive standard care or standard care plus the app. The main goal is…

This early-stage trial tests an injectable drug called IMC-001 in 18 people who recently had a heart attack or unstable angina. The goal is to see if it can safely stabilize fatty plaques in the arteries, making them less likely to cause future heart problems. Participants are ra…

This study tests whether genetic testing can help veterans at high risk for heart disease start and stick with statin medications. About 410 veterans aged 40-75 with diabetes or heart disease who are not currently taking statins will receive either a genetic report on their stati…

This study is testing whether a 12-week supervised exercise program can improve artery health and reduce inflammation in people with coronary artery disease. Fifty patients aged 40-70 will do aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises three times a week. Researchers will meas…

This study tests whether adding a Chinese herbal medicine called Yiyang Huoluo Decoction to standard heart medications can improve symptoms and blood vessel health in older adults with coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. About 30 participants aged 50-75 will be randomly a…

This study tests whether ziltivekimab, a monthly injection that reduces inflammation, can improve artery health in people who have recently had a heart attack. About 332 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo, alongside standard care. Researchers will use special …

This early-stage trial is testing an experimental drug called TB-500 in 80 adults with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The main goal is to see if the drug is safe and tolerable. Researchers will also measure changes in blood vessel function and inflammation as earl…

This study looks at whether two common statins (pitavastatin and rosuvastatin) affect male sex hormones and erectile function in men aged 40-65 with high heart risk. Researchers will monitor 150 men for 6 months, checking hormone levels, erectile function, and blood vessel health…

This study tests whether starting cholesterol-lowering treatment in the emergency department can help prevent heart attacks and strokes in people at risk. About 130 adults aged 40-75 who are in the ER for possible heart issues will receive guideline-based care. The goal is to low…

This study tests whether a team of healthcare professionals using a special algorithm can lower 'bad' cholesterol (LDL-C) more effectively than standard care in people with heart or blood vessel disease. About 100 adults with high cholesterol and known vascular disease will be ra…

This study looks at whether taking just one blood thinner (single antiplatelet therapy) is safer and as effective as taking two (dual antiplatelet therapy) in older adults or those at high risk of bleeding who have had a balloon procedure to open blocked heart arteries. About 576…

The EPOCA trial is testing whether a daily 'polypill' (combining blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood-thinning medications) plus the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine can reduce major heart and limb events in people with established heart disease. Over 7,700 participants aged 4…

This study tests whether a drug-coated balloon can reduce fatty deposits in heart arteries better than standard medications alone. Researchers will enroll 400 adults who recently had a heart-related event (acute coronary syndrome). Participants will get either the balloon treatme…

This study tests whether adding inclisiran (a twice-yearly injection) to standard care lowers LDL cholesterol more than standard care alone in 520 patients who recently had a heart attack, stroke, or urgent heart procedure. Participants are randomly assigned to receive inclisiran…

This study is testing whether metformin, a common diabetes medicine, can reduce the risk of death, heart attacks, and strokes in veterans who have pre-diabetes and already have heart or blood vessel disease. About 7,410 participants will receive either metformin or a placebo. The…

This study tests whether bempedoic acid, a cholesterol-lowering drug, can reduce artery inflammation and improve heart health in people with HIV. About 121 adults aged 40 and older with well-controlled HIV and at least one heart disease risk factor will receive either the drug or…

This study looks at whether taking fish oil and/or metformin for 12 months can improve heart health in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes. The trial will enroll 146 women with PCOS who are overweight and have high blood…

This study compares two approaches to stabilize fatty plaque in heart arteries: a moderate-dose statin plus ezetimibe versus a high-dose statin alone. Over 400 adults with coronary artery disease will be followed for a year, using advanced ultrasound to measure plaque changes. Th…

This phase 3 trial is testing whether two drugs—colchicine (used for gout) and ticagrelor (a blood thinner)—can prevent future strokes, heart attacks, and other vascular events in people who have already had a stroke. About 2,800 high-risk participants will be enrolled. The goal …

This study tests whether treating severe gum disease can reduce inflammation in the arteries of people who have recently had a heart attack. 210 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either intensive periodontal treatment or standard dental care. The main goal is to s…

This study is testing whether a device that measures how long it takes for a pulse to travel through the arms and legs can detect peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition where leg arteries become narrowed. Researchers will compare this new method to the standard ankle-brachi…

This pilot study tests whether a special PET scan using a tracer called Florbetaben can detect inflamed plaque in arteries of people who recently had a heart attack, stroke, or mini-stroke. The goal is to see if this imaging method can identify unstable plaques that are likely to…

This observational study is testing whether a combination of non-invasive measurements—including blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound, blood and urine tests, and a light-based technique called photoplethysmography—can detect early damage to blood vessels and organs in adults at …

This study is developing and testing an artificial intelligence (AI) model to help diagnose a specific type of stroke called branch atheromatous disease (BAD)-related stroke. BAD strokes are hard to identify because symptoms are not specific, and diagnosis requires combining clin…

This study compares two types of CT scans—PET/CT and ultra-high-resolution CT—to see which one better detects early signs of coronary artery disease in people with symptoms like chest pain. Researchers will measure the amount of plaque in the arteries and check how accurately eac…

This study is looking for markers in blood and saliva that can quickly tell if a person is having a stroke, and what kind. Researchers will collect samples from 650 adults with suspected stroke within 24 hours of symptoms. The goal is to develop a fast, accurate test to help emer…

This study tests a new computer program that helps doctors diagnose blocked heart arteries more accurately using CT scans. The software combines several checks into one step, which may reduce the need for invasive procedures like heart catheterization. Researchers will look at pa…

This trial compares two blood-thinning drugs—aspirin and cilostazol—to see which one better prevents major heart and blood vessel events in people with type 2 diabetes who are already at high risk. About 1,200 participants will be randomly assigned to take one of the two medicati…

This study is testing whether taking daily aspirin (100 mg) along with a high-intensity statin can prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other serious cardiovascular events in people aged 40–75 who have severe coronary artery calcification (calcium score ≥300). About 5,000 particip…

This study tests whether using a carotid ultrasound (a neck scan) to find hidden plaque in arteries can help prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. About 1,944 participants aged 50 and older will be spl…

This study looks at whether adding a heart disease prevention program to standard lung cancer screening can improve the health of heavy smokers. Researchers will use chest CT scans already taken for lung cancer screening to also check for hidden heart disease. 1000 participants w…

This pilot study looks at whether an 8-week stress reduction program can reduce inflammation in the arteries of adults aged 30-65 who feel stressed. Researchers will use special PET scans to measure changes in artery inflammation before and after the program. The goal is to see i…

This study tests whether metformin, a standard diabetes drug, can improve walking ability in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who experience leg pain during activity. Researchers will give 200 Veterans either metformin or a placebo for several months and measure change…

This study tests a new type of supervised exercise for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), which causes leg pain when walking due to blocked arteries. Researchers want to see if using muscle oxygen levels to guide exercise is better than standard therapy. The study invol…

This study tests whether music therapy delivered by the BeatMove device can help people with leg artery disease walk farther during a 3-month outpatient walking program. Fifty-four participants will either get real music therapy or a sham version while doing 36 walking sessions. …

This study aims to learn more about heart and blood vessel diseases by observing people who have them or are at risk. Researchers will collect samples and perform tests like imaging and stress tests on up to 5,000 participants, including healthy volunteers and relatives of affect…

This study aims to learn more about lipid disorders—conditions that affect fats like cholesterol in the blood. Researchers will observe up to 2,000 people with abnormal cholesterol levels to better understand how these disorders develop and how to diagnose them. Participants will…

This study looks at how the body's innate immune system responds to certain environmental exposures by measuring inflammation markers in blood. Researchers will collect blood samples from up to 725 healthy volunteers aged 18-45 to analyze how specific genes and proteins react. Th…

This study aims to understand why heart disease develops differently in women compared to men. Researchers will measure inflammation markers and hormone levels in 6,000 women with chest pain. They hope to uncover how female sex hormones and inflammation interact to influence hear…

This study aims to develop better MRI methods for imaging the heart and brain, and to describe heart diseases using these new techniques. It will also investigate whether gadolinium, a common MRI contrast agent, stays in the body long after use. Up to 5,000 healthy volunteers and…

This study examines plaques removed from the carotid arteries of about 3,500 people during surgery, along with imaging scans and blood samples, to find features that make some plaques prone to rupture and cause heart attacks or strokes. Researchers will track participants over se…

This study is testing new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to get clearer pictures of the heart and blood vessels without using radiation. Researchers will compare these new MRI methods to standard tests like angiography and CT scans. Up to 4,000 adults—including healt…

This trial tests an experimental imaging tracer called 64Cu-NODAGA-CANF in healthy adults. The goal is to measure how the tracer spreads through the body, calculate the radiation dose, and check its safety. Each participant receives one injection of the tracer and then undergoes …

This study tests a non-invasive device that measures blood flow in the skin of people with severe leg artery disease. Researchers will compare results from 15 patients before and after a procedure to open blocked arteries, and also compare them to 15 healthy volunteers. The goal …

This study is collecting blood samples and health data from 15,000 symptom-free adults over 40 to understand what healthy aging looks like at the molecular level. By tracking participants over time, researchers hope to establish normal ranges for thousands of blood markers and id…

This study will look at how consistently nearly 6,000 adults in Italy take three newer cholesterol-lowering drugs (inclisiran, evolocumab, and alirocumab) over the long term. Researchers will analyze prescription records to measure adherence and persistence in everyday medical pr…

People with rheumatoid arthritis have double the risk of heart attack. This study is testing whether a blood test for troponin, along with a heart scan, can catch heart disease early. Researchers will enroll 120 adults aged 40-79 with RA and at least one heart risk factor. The go…

This study looks at whether severe gum disease (periodontitis) is linked to stiffer arteries, which is a sign of heart risk. Researchers will compare 206 adults aged 40-69—half with advanced gum disease and half with healthy gums—using a simple test that measures artery stiffness…

This study follows 300 adults aged 30–60 with genetically confirmed familial hypercholesterolemia, a condition causing very high cholesterol. Researchers use CT scans to see how coronary artery plaques change over 5 years. The goal is to better understand disease progression and …

This study investigates whether high-protein meals, especially from animal sources, activate immune cells in a way that could worsen atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Researchers will give 24 adults different protein-rich meals and measure changes in blood cells. The g…

This study is not testing a new drug or treatment. Instead, researchers want to make sure their lab tests and equipment give accurate and repeatable results when studying conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and bone loss. Up to 100 healthy volunteers and people with…

This study looks at whether bacteria in your mouth can influence the buildup of fatty plaques in the neck arteries that supply blood to the brain. Researchers will collect samples from 200 adults having surgery to remove these plaques and compare the bacteria found in the mouth, …

This study looks at whether a lower daily dose of aspirin (50 mg) is as effective and safer than the standard dose (100 mg) for preventing heart attacks and strokes in Chinese patients aged 60 and older with heart disease. Researchers will follow over 5,400 participants for up to…

This study looks at whether a gene called TMEM230 plays a role in atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty plaques in arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Researchers will collect blood and artery tissue from 12 adults undergoing vascular surgery. They aim to underst…

This study looks at how animal-based and plant-based proteins change metabolism and immune signals in healthy adults. Twenty participants will drink three different protein smoothies on separate visits and give blood samples. Researchers want to see if adding leucine to plant pro…

This study looks at whether telling people their genetic risk for coronary artery disease helps them lower cholesterol and improve heart health over one year. Researchers will enroll 500 adults aged 30-75 who are not on cholesterol medication. Half will get their genetic risk sco…

This natural history study tracks people aged 10 and older with rare genetic lipid disorders over up to 20 years. Researchers will monitor changes in cholesterol and fat levels, and how these conditions progress. The goal is to better understand these diseases and develop new dia…

This study collects blood samples from 1500 adults at risk for heart disease to discover new biomarkers that can predict future heart attacks, strokes, or blocked leg arteries. Participants are seen at a specialized prevention center and provide samples and health data at the sta…

This study looks at whether an 8-week stress reduction program can lower inflammation in the arteries of people with stable heart disease. About 36 adults who feel stressed will take part. Researchers will use special PET/MRI scans to measure changes in artery and brain activity …

This study follows 2000 adults with suspected heart artery disease who undergo special imaging and pressure measurements during a heart catheterization. Researchers want to see which test results best predict future heart problems like heart attacks or the need for another proced…

This study is for people with familial hypercholesterolemia (inherited high cholesterol) who have no heart symptoms yet. Researchers will use a special CT scan to check for hidden blockages in the heart arteries. The goal is to learn which factors are linked to these blockages, s…

This study uses advanced 3D-rotational angiography to track how fatty plaques in brain arteries change over one year in 140 people who have had a stroke or mini-stroke. Participants will have two scans 12 months apart while managing heart risk factors. The goal is to understand p…

This study looks at fatty buildup in brain arteries that can break off and cause strokes. Researchers want to see if high-risk plaques look different from harmless ones. They will use special imaging to compare plaques in 140 people who have had a stroke with those who have not.

This study is building a biobank of blood, spinal fluid, and tissue samples from 500 Chinese adults, including stroke patients, their families, and healthy volunteers. Researchers will analyze the samples to find genetic markers linked to stroke and its complications. The goal is…

This study looks at 200 people with a family history of heart disease but no symptoms. They will get a special CT scan and a blood test to find hidden, high-risk plaque in their arteries. The goal is to see if the scan can better predict who needs early treatment compared to stan…

This study is observing 800 people who recently had an ischemic stroke or have significant artery narrowing. All are taking high doses of statins (atorvastatin or rosuvastatin) for at least a week. Researchers want to see how much their cholesterol drops and what factors influenc…

This study looks at 1000 adults (ages 40-80) with high cholesterol but no heart symptoms. Researchers want to see if using special scans of the neck and heart arteries can find hidden plaque better than the standard risk calculator. The goal is to improve early detection and prev…

This study tests whether wearing noise-canceling earplugs can lower stress and reduce heart disease risk in people annoyed by traffic noise. Researchers will use brain and blood vessel scans to measure changes over 6 months in 26 adults with heart risk factors. The goal is to see…

This study tests whether giving young and middle-aged adults with high blood pressure a personalized genetic risk score helps them lower their blood pressure and adopt healthier habits. 300 participants will either receive standard care or get their genetic risk results along wit…