Heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for people with Type 2 diabetes, accounting for two-thirds of deaths among people with diabetes. In the first long-term study of its kind, an international team of researchers led by Dr. Valentin Fuster found that individuals who have diabetes and advanced coronary artery disease live longer and are less likely to suffer a non-fatal heart attack when treated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) instead of angioplasty.
In 2014 Principal Investigator Dr. Fuster and a multidisciplinary research team-were awarded a nearly $4 million grant by the American Heart Association (AHA). With the aim of promoting cardiovascular health in high-risk New York City children, the research project focused on heart healthy interventions for children ages 3-5 enrolled in Harlem. The project also included their parents or caregivers. The research team’s mission was to reduce each child’s future risk of obesity, heart attack, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.
After years of further research, Dr. Fuster continues to push for community health and preventative medicine through the work in The Children’s Lifestyle, Diet & Exercise Intervention. Putting into action the insights developed over 10 years of Heart Health Education with the SI! (Salud Integral) Program in Colombia, Spain, and Harlem, NYC, Dr. Fuster has now extended the program for children across NYC.
The NYC Children program began in the winter of 2020 as a pilot program in five NYC public schools. In fall of 2021, the full study launched, initially recruiting in Manhattan before expanding to all five boroughs.
Research Institutes
The cardiology research institutes are below:
- Cardiovascular Research Institute
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute
Research Programs and Centers
The cardiology research programs and centers are below: