The ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) Study
Key result
ARIC cohort yields ~2,300 publications identifying determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis and CHD.
- n=15,792
Why the study?
The study was designed to improve understanding of the decline in CHD mortality and identify determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis and CHD in Black and White middle-age adults.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=15,792)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
P
Population
15,792 Black and White adults ages 45 to 64 years in a community-based prospective cohort
O
Outcome
Myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence and mortality, and determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis and CHDhard clinical
The ARIC study is a landmark prospective cohort that has significantly advanced the understanding of cardiovascular disease determinants, health disparities, and prevention over several decades.
Key expert perspectives
Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“With ARIC, we set out to understand the complicated risk factors for heart disease, whether they be genetic or environmental.”
“This study has made important findings about heart disease that wouldn't have been possible without this large group of people who participated. What we've learned from this study has been used by national health organizations to make recommendations to improve heart health for two decades.”
Implication
Informs clinical recognition of racial disparities in CHD; leaves open targeted research on modifiable determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Abstract
ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) initiated community-based surveillance in 1987 for myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence and mortality and created a prospective cohort of 15,792 Black and White adults ages 45 to 64 years. The primary aims were to improve understanding of the decline in CHD mortality and identify determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis and CHD in Black and White middle-age adults. ARIC has examined areas including health disparities, genomics, heart failure, and prevention, producing more than 2,300 publications. Results have had strong clinical impact and demonstrate the importance of population-based research in the spectrum of biomedical research to improve health.
Discussion
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Cite This Study
Wright et al. (2021) conducted a cohort in Coronary heart disease and subclinical atherosclerosis (n=15,792).