Rutgers Receives $3.6 Million to Study Heart and Metabolic Health in Older Adults With HIV

November 3, 2026 - 01:49

A new research effort aims to deepen understanding of cardiovascular and metabolic complications among older adults living with HIV. A $3.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will support the work, which is expected to become one of the largest and most thorough investigations of its kind.

Older adults with HIV face elevated risks for heart disease, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders as they age. Despite improvements in treatment that allow many people with HIV to live longer, the long term effects of the virus and prolonged medication use on cardiovascular and metabolic systems remain insufficiently studied. The new funding is intended to close that gap.

The research team plans to examine a broad range of factors, including how chronic inflammation, immune system changes, and lifestyle variables interact over time. By following a large group of participants, the study hopes to identify patterns that could lead to earlier interventions and better clinical guidelines.

Researchers involved say the findings could shape how care is delivered to a growing population that has historically been underrepresented in aging research. The project is expected to run for several years and will involve partnerships across multiple disciplines. Results from the study may inform screening practices and treatment strategies tailored specifically to older adults living with HIV, a group whose health needs have often been overlooked in broader cardiovascular research.