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Team Science: American Heart Association's Hypertension Strategically Focused Research Network Experience

Mark K Santillan1, Richard C Becker2, David A Calhoun3

  • 1Obstetrics/Gynecology (M.K.S.,K.K.L), University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|May 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This American Heart Association network advanced hypertension research across basic, clinical, and population sciences. Centers focused on pediatric hypertension, epigenetics, diurnal blood pressure, and pregnancy biomarkers, sharing challenges and successes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Hypertension Pathogenesis
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • The American Heart Association established a 4-year Strategically Focused Research Network in 2015, comprising four specialized centers.
  • Each center integrated basic, clinical, and population science projects focused on hypertension.
  • Significant emphasis was placed on training the next generation of hypertension researchers through postdoctoral fellowships.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the challenges and successes of four research centers funded by the American Heart Association focused on hypertension.
  • To highlight the integrated research approaches and training initiatives within the network.
  • To review advancements in understanding hypertension across diverse areas including pediatrics, epigenetics, circadian rhythms, and pregnancy.

Main Methods:

  • Four centers (Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Iowa) conducted integrated research projects.
  • Research areas included pediatric hypertension and target organ damage (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring), epigenetic modifications in hypertension, diurnal blood pressure patterns and clock genes, and copeptin as a biomarker in pregnancy.
  • Postdoctoral fellows received training across basic, clinical, and population science methodologies, with leadership development opportunities.

Main Results:

  • Cincinnati Children's Hospital: Focused on pediatric hypertension and target organ damage using ambulatory blood pressure measurements.
  • Medical College of Wisconsin: Investigated epigenetic modifications in hypertension pathogenesis through human and animal studies.
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham: Studied diurnal blood pressure patterns and clock genes.
  • University of Iowa: Evaluated copeptin as an early biomarker for preeclampsia and vascular endothelial function during pregnancy.

Conclusions:

  • The network fostered collaboration and advanced hypertension research across multiple domains.
  • Integrated research and comprehensive training programs were key components of the network's success.
  • The presented challenges and achievements offer insights into the progress made in understanding and managing hypertension.

Keywords:
biomarkershospitalshypertensioninterdisciplinary researchpreeclampsia

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