Assessing cardiovascular risk in transgender patients on gender affirming hormonal therapy
- Funding
- Self-funded
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Apply by
- Year round
- Start date
- Year round
- Subject area
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
The number of transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming care is rising, with studies showing they face higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks than cisgender peers. This PhD aims to explore CVD risk in transgender patients on hormone therapy through retrospective and prospective studies. Objectives include building a patient database, assessing existing evidence, and measuring cardiovascular health using specialized techniques.
The number of individuals identifying as transgender has increased substantially in recent years, leading to a notable rise in those seeking gender-affirming medical care to align their secondary sex characteristics with their gender identity. Notably, recent research has highlighted that transgender individuals face a significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to their cisgender peers. For instance, studies have shown that transgender women are more than twice as likely to experience a heart attack as cisgender women, while transgender men have over four times the risk. A meta-analysis also found that transgender women have a 1.3 times higher incidence of stroke compared to cisgender men.
Despite these concerning trends, the underlying mechanisms contributing to this increased cardiovascular risk remain unclear, largely due to the heterogeneity and retrospective nature of the available data. Consequently, it is still challenging to disentangle the specific cardiovascular burden associated with gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) from that of other contributing factors, such as lifestyle.
The aim of this PhD is to explore in a retrospective database and in a prospective study the determinants of the increased risk of CVD in trans gender patients on GAHT and provide mechanistic insights.
Specific objectives are to:
This PhD will be developed in three main workpackages (WPs):
All postgraduate students undertake the PGR Development Programme which aims to enhance their skills for a successful research experience and career. They are required to maintain an online record of their progress and record their personal and professional development throughout their research degree. In addition to monthly supervision meetings, The Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science holds monthly group research meetings where students are given opportunities to present their research. The PhD student will receive training from clinical and academic experts in appropriate methodologies, including Pulse Penn methods for arterial stiffness assessment, conducting systematic reviews, data analysis, academic writing, and applying for ethics approval to conduct clinical researchScience is fully committed to promoting gender equality in all activities.
This project is open to self-funded UK and international applicants. A background in healthcare; statistical analysis would be highly desirable. A BSc/MSc/MRes (or international equivalent) in data science, biology, or related fields, or a health-related subject is required. No experience in the lab is required.
You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Full-time place, per year - £31,250
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this project.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
My qualifications are from United Kingdom.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).
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Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Dr Riccardo Proietti Riccardo.proietti@liverpool.ac.uk