Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Utah received a $660,505 Project Grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866), awarded August 1, 2026, with a completion deadline of April 30, 2031. This research project will generate real-world evidence to clarify the risk-benefit profiles of antihypertensive (blood pressure medication) intensification versus de-escalation in older adults, with the objective of identifying optimal blood pressure thresholds that minimize adverse events while maximizing brain and cardiovascular health outcomes. The project addresses a critical clinical gap, as approximately 60% of U.S. adults aged 65 and older have hypertension, and intensive antihypertensive therapy, while reducing cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease risk, disproportionately exposes frailer older adults to serious adverse events including injurious falls, hypotension, acute kidney injury, and electrolyte abnormalities.

The research will employ observational study methodologies to generate evidence-based guidance on antihypertensive management tailored to older populations. Products from this NIA-funded initiative will include peer-reviewed publications, clinical guidance documentation, and data analyses that inform current U.S. clinical practice guidelines regarding systolic blood pressure targets for aging populations. The funding supports the institution's research infrastructure in geriatric and cardiovascular health sciences, contributing to the National Institute on Aging's broader mission of preventing and treating age-related diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.