About

The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a study of the characteristics of subclinical cardiovascular disease (disease detected non-invasively before it has produced clinical signs and symptoms) and the risk factors that predict progression to clinically overt cardiovascular disease or progression of the subclinical disease. MESA researchers study a diverse, population-based sample of 6,814 asymptomatic men and women aged 45-84. Approximately 38 percent of the recruited participants are white, 28 percent African-American, 22 percent Hispanic, and 12 percent Asian, predominantly of Chinese descent. 

Exam 1-6 Retention Rates

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Note: "enrolled" includes study dropouts for a "true retention rate"

Exam 1-6 Demographics

Please direct inquires about MESA to Craig Johnson (wcraigj@uw.edu).

Key Study and Cohort Background Papers

Design paper (Bild DE, Bluemke DA, Burke GL, et al.) (external link)
The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (Burke, Lima, Wong, & Narula) (external link)
Legacy of MESA (Olson, Bild, Kronmal, & Burke) (external link)