The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) is one of the world’s most significant and longest-running heart health studies and is the largest study of heart health in African Americans. Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ARIC investigates risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and the connections between cardiovascular and cognitive health.

In 1987, nearly 16,000 participants aged 45 through 65 joined the ARIC cohort study in four communities. In 2021, approximately 6,000 original participants, now in their 80s and 90s, are still active in ARIC. They generously give their time for clinical exams every three years, along with regular telephone follow up. Learn more about ARIC, including study impact and scientific findings.

After pausing for the pandemic in 2020, the ARIC study began seeing participants again in 2021. We’re planning for the next clinic visit in 2022 and hope to see you soon, especially for two important “imaging” opportunities. You have already made many valuable contributions to our understanding of science and health. With these imaging studies, we can learn even more about how the brain changes with age. Read more about imaging here.

As always, thank you for participating!

15,792
participants

2858
publications

80% of eligible
participants still
active in ARIC!