Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans. Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) scientists are working to understand how to reduce our risk of heart attacks, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases throughout life.
Addressing risk factors, improving diagnosis, and exploring how medications, genes, and everyday life affect our cardiovascular health at different ages and stages are central to this work — as is translating research findings into practical, personalized care.
“We’ve found that helping patients and health care teams work together on personalized care plans is the best path to lifelong heart health,” says Beverly Green, MD, MPH, whose recent work has focused on improving the diagnosis of high blood pressure.
Additional focus areas for KPWHRI scientists include exploring the impact of cardiovascular diseases on other health conditions — and vice versa. Recently, this has led researchers Sascha Dublin, MD, PhD, and Laura B. Harrington, PhD, MPH, to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health.
Below are other research highlights from KPWHRI’s cardiovascular health scientists (please visit their bios to learn more):
Reed DM, LaCroix AZ, Karasek RA, Miller D, MacLean CA. Occupational strain and the incidence of coronary heart disease. Am J Epidemiol. 1989;129(3):495-502. PubMed
Ballard DJ, Strogatz DS, Wagner EH, Siscovick DS, James SA, Kleinbaum DG, Cutchin LM, Ibrahim MA. Hypertension control in a rural southern community: medical care process and dropping out. Am J Prev Med. 1988;4(3):133-9. PubMed
Newton KM, Killien MG. Patient and spouse learning needs during recovery from coronary artery bypass. Prog Cardiovasc Nurs. 1988;3(2):62-9. PubMed
Psaty BM, Koepsell TD, LoGerfo JP, Wagner EH, Inui TS. The relative risk of myocardial infarction in patients who have high blood pressure and non-cardiac pain. J Gen Intern Med. 1987;2(6):381-7. PubMed
Siscovick DS, Strogatz DS, Wagner EH, Ballard DJ, James SA, Beresford S, Kleinbaum DG, Cutchin LM, Ibrahim MA. Provider-oriented interventions and management of hypertension. Med Care. 1987;25(3):254-8. PubMed
Sascha Dublin, MD, PhDSenior Investigator |
Beverly B. Green, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
Laura Harrington, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
Ellen O'Meara, PhDPrincipal Collaborative Scientist |
Nicole M. Gatto, PhD, MPHPrincipal Collaborative Scientist |
Meagan C. Brown, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
James Floyd, MD, MS
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology
University of Washington
Susan Heckbert, MD, PhD
University of Washington (UW) Department of Epidemiology; UW Cardiovascular Health Research Unit
Nicholas L. Smith, PhD, MPH
UW Professor, Epidemiology, Cardiovascular Health Research Unit
Director, Seattle Epidemiology and Information Resource Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System