What does your daily routine say about your heart? UTMB's landmark Galveston County study aims to find out

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives each year, according to the American Heart Association. Now, researchers at UTMB Health are turning to Galveston County residents to help change that trajectory.

Through its Galveston Heart Study, UTMB is conducting a five-year research initiative aimed at uncovering how everyday habits, medical conditions and other factors influence cardiovascular health.

What is the Galveston Heart Study?

UTMB researchers are working to better understand the factors that put residents at risk for cardiovascular disease and identify opportunities for earlier intervention.

“The study was developed to take a more comprehensive look at heart health while providing residents with the information they need to make informed health decisions,” said Dr. Mohanad Albayyaa, assistant professor and director of quality in UTMB's Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute. “We invite all-comers both with and without existing cardiovascular conditions to better understand the factors influencing long-term heart health and identify opportunities for earlier prevention.”

Using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 framework, researchers assess eight key components of cardiovascular health:

• Lifestyle factors: Diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure and sleep

• Health measurements: Body weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure

These measurements are combined into a cardiovascular health score ranging from zero to 100, helping participants identify potential risk factors and areas for improvement.

The research also explores connections between cardiovascular health and brain health, depression, anxiety and hormone therapy use to better understand participants' overall health.

Why focus on Galveston County?

Galveston County's diverse population makes it an important setting for understanding how cardiovascular health varies across different backgrounds, lifestyles and socioeconomic conditions.

Studying the local population also allows UTMB researchers to identify community-specific health needs and use those findings to improve prevention, treatment and access to care.

To reach a broad range of residents, UTMB is recruiting participants through four community locations:

• UTMB primary care clinics: Reaching patients through internal medicine and family medicine providers

• Private medical practices: Connecting with residents outside UTMB's healthcare system through partner clinics, such as Optimal Health Primary Care. 

• St. Vincent's Clinic: Including uninsured and underserved populations

• Moody Methodist Church: Engaging residents through community activities and events

UTMB is also bringing the research into the community through a mobile unit equipped to conduct health assessments at local events, making participation more accessible.

How do participants benefit?

Beyond contributing to research, participants gain a closer look at their cardiovascular health, helping them identify potential risk factors they may not have previously recognized.

During their initial visit, participants complete health questionnaires and physical assessments measuring factors such as blood pressure, weight and grip strength.

“While we are screening them, we are sharing their scores and helping them understand where they stand in terms of their heart health,” Dr. Albayyaa said. “Within 30 days, participants receive a one-page summary that outlines their heart health score and highlights the area where they have the greatest opportunity to improve their heart health. If everything looks good, we encourage them to keep going. But if we find something abnormal—like blood pressure that isn't where it needs to be—we can catch it early and direct them to their primary care provider or a cardiologist before it turns into an emergency.”

Following the initial assessment, participants return annually for shorter follow-up visits throughout the five-year study. They also receive a $25 gift card for their initial visit and validated parking at UTMB facilities.

Who is eligible to join?

Galveston County residents may be eligible if they meet the following requirements:

• Are age 30 or older

• Live in Galveston County

• Plan to remain in the county for at least one year and participate in annual follow-up visits

By following participants over several years, UTMB hopes to identify patterns that could strengthen prevention strategies and improve cardiovascular care for future generations.

Interested in participating? Visit the Galveston Heart Study website or email [email protected] to learn more about enrollment.

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