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Discoveries

Did you know that findings from MESA have been widely published in well-respected scientific journals and at research conferences? Indeed, data gathered from MESA has been used in over 2,300 published papers. Each of these papers represents an important contribution to the body of medical knowledge, which in turn helps medical professionals provide their patients with better care. Below, you can read about what researchers have learned from your participation in MESA.

 

Heart

What Your Heart Can Tell Us About Your Brain Health( )

This study found that signs of heart dysfunction, known as left ventricular injury (LVI), seen on MRI scans were linked to a higher risk of future stroke and dementia. These findings suggest that heart health may play an important role in long-term brain health.
Walking seniors

The Impact of Neighborhood Design on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: The Role of Proximity to Walkable and Social Destinations( )

This study found that living closer to walkable and social destinations is linked to better cognitive processing speed in older adults, but the benefits decrease with distance, and there was little effect on overall cognitive function.
Elderly person sleeping

Better Sleep, Longer Life: The Benefits of a Regular and Sufficient Sleep Pattern( )

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule with sufficient sleep may help increase longevity.
Shot of a doctor examining a patient with a stethoscope

Heart Disease Risk Score Remains Accurate Without Race/Ethnicity( )

Researchers found that removing race and ethnicity as a variable from the MESA risk score for predicting coronary heart disease did not reduce its accuracy, highlighting the potential to make clinical algorithms more equitable and inclusive.
Car pollution

The Impact of Air Pollution on Blood Clot Risk( )

Long-term exposure to air pollution, particularly from vehicle exhaust and fine particles, significantly increases the risk of dangerous blood clots in veins that bring blood to the heart.
Continuous glucose monitor

Blood Sugar Swings and Aging Minds( )

This study found that fluctuations in blood sugar levels over time are linked to declines in thinking and memory as people age, particularly in those with diabetes. Maintaining stable blood sugar may help protect brain health, with future research aiming to explore this further using advanced monitoring tools.
Red meat

Exploring Red Meat and Inflammation: Unraveling the Complex Connection( )

A study investigating the connection between red meat and inflammation found that while unprocessed red meat intake was initially associated with higher inflammation markers, this link disappeared when accounting for body weight. Surprisingly, processed red meat showed no significant association, and the research highlighted the complexity of these relationships, emphasizing the need for further exploration.
Red wine and glass

Alcohol's Surprising Impact on Body Fat Distribution( )

The study explores the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and body fat distribution, revealing that heavy drinking and binge drinking are linked to higher fat levels around the heart and liver, while light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower fat levels in these areas.
Weight scale

Obesity, Fitness, and Kidney Health: The Weighty Impact of Walking Pace( )

Study reveals weight gain and slow walking pace increase chronic kidney disease risk in non-diabetic obese adults, emphasizing the importance of maintaining healthy weight and physical fitness.
Human Heart Model

Predicting Heart Health with Left Ventricle Shape: A 10-Year Study( )

This study suggests that analyzing the shape of the left ventricle through MRI scans could be a helpful way to predict and monitor cardiovascular problems and improve personalized medicine approaches in the future.
Congenital Heart Disease

High Lipoprotein(a) Levels Increase Risk of Coronary Heart Disease, Independent of LDL-Cholesterol Levels( )

This study suggests that elevated lipoprotein is an important factor in coronary heart disease.
Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Linked to Increased Cardiovascular Risk, Study Finds( )

The study identified three main factors contributing to the risk: hypoxic burden, ventilatory burden, and nighttime arousals.
Redlining

Impact of Historical Redlining on Cardiovascular Health: Uncovering Persistent Racial Health Disparities( )

Researchers found that living in areas that were historically redlined had an impact on cardiovascular health, especially for Black participants.
Irregular Sleep

Irregular Sleep Patterns Linked to Heart Health Risks in Older Adults( )

This study found that people with more irregular sleep patterns had higher levels of calcium in their arteries, which can be a sign of heart trouble.