MESA

Skip to main content

MESA Overview and Protocol

Protocol
Population

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 from six field centers across the United States. Approximately 38 percent of the recruited participants are white, 28 percent African-American, 22 percent Hispanic, and 12 percent Asian, predominantly of Chinese descent. Six exams have been completed since 2000. Participants are contacted every 9 to 12 months throughout the study to assess clinical morbidity and mortality. The final 18 months of the study will be dedicated to close out and data analysis and publication.

MESA Protocol

MESA Population

Age-Gender-Ethnicity Breakdown from Exams 1-6
Category Baseline Exam 2 Exam 3 Exam 4 Exam 5 Exam 6
Age at Baseline 45-54 1948 29% 1815 29% 1761 30% 1739 30% 1544 33% 1237 37%
  55-64 1884 28% 1735 28% 1687 28% 1652 28% 1425 31% 1091 33%
  65-74 2017 30% 1834 29% 1743 29% 1723 30% 1296 28% 813 25%
  75-84 965 14% 855 14% 755 13% 704 12% 390 8% 161 5%
  Total 6814 100% 6239 100% 5946 100% 5818 100% 4655 100% 3302 100%
Gender Female 3601 53% 3267 52% 3132 53% 3075 53% 2477 53% 1760 53%
  Male 3213 47% 2972 48% 2814 47% 2743 47% 2178 47% 1542 47%
  Total 6814 100% 6239 100% 5946 100% 5818 100% 4655 100% 3302 100%
Race/Ethnicity African-American 1891 28% 1692 27% 1607 27% 1579 27% 1233 26% 1322 40%
  Chinese-American 804 12% 729 12% 699 12% 662 11% 541 12% 420 13%
  Hispanic 1496 22% 1352 22% 1257 21% 1230 21% 999 21% 850 26%
  White 2623 39% 2466 40% 2383 40% 2347 40% 1822 39% 710 22%
  Total 6814 100% 6239 100% 5946 100% 5818 100% 4655 100% 3302 100%