MissioN
The Cardiovascular Health Research Unit (CHRU) is a joint program of several departments in the University of Washington School of Medicine and the School of Public Health. We aim to develop and apply knowledge to prevent morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Through the collaborative efforts of organizations and researchers based locally, nationally, and internationally, we develop innovative approaches not only to discover new biology through biomarkers and genomics, but also to evaluate the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
Collaborations
We collaborate extensively with local institutions in the Pacific Northwest, including Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle-King County Health Department's Emergency Medical Services, the Seattle Medic One Program, and the University of Washington Nutrition Obesity Research Center, to conduct population and patient-oriented research on causes and treatments for cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden cardiac death, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, and heart failure. Our collaborations extend nationally and internationally, including the Cohorts for Health and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) Consortium, the NHLBI TOPMed Program, and the US Food and Drug Administration’s Sentinel Initiative.
Research
Our research is funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health, particularly the National Heart Lung Blood Institute. We also receive funds from other federal agencies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration, and from non-profit organizations such as the American Heart Association, Locke Charitable Foundation, and Medic One Foundation.