The Miami Heart Study at Baptist Health will be an observational, longitudinal and prospective cohort study in a target population of 4000 healthy subjects (40-65 years old) consisting of members from the Greater Miami Area (including eligible BHSF(Baptist Health South Florida) employees). Baseline examination will consist of (1) assessment for cardiovascular risk factors (including lifestyle and psychosocial factors); (2) screening for subclinical atherosclerosis using Coronary CT angiogram, Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) testing, vascular 2D/3D ultrasound, endothelial function, arterial stiffness and (3) blood sampling for determination of traditional risk factors, advanced "omics" and biobanking. Participants will be followed yearly via telephone, email, or mail for change in health status with a focus on cardiovascular disease events, including acute myocardial infarction and other forms of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and congestive heart failure; mortality; and for cardiovascular disease interventions.
The Miami Heart Study at Baptist Health is expected to identify new imaging and biological factors associated with the presence and feature of earliest markers of subclinical atherosclerotic disease and provide opportunities for discovery/validation of novel biomarkers to identify these high-risk features. This is expected to lead to advances in understanding of evolution and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease starts with an ultimate goal of establishing more personalized, evidence-based approach to medical care.