Arizona Heart Study (AZ-Heart)
A Statewide Cardiovascular Data Initiative Led by the Sarver Heart Center Data Science Unit
Overview
The Arizona Heart Study (AZ-Heart) is a developing research platform designed to advance understanding of cardiovascular disease within Arizona’s unique environmental and population context. By integrating clinical, environmental, behavioral, and digital health data, AZ-Heart aims to identify region-specific risk factors and generate evidence that supports precision prevention strategies across the state.
Study Objectives
- Characterize cardiovascular disease patterns within Arizona using existing health system and cohort datasets.
- Build a longitudinal research infrastructure to support prospective data collection, including clinical measurements, imaging, biomarkers, environmental exposures, and digital health signals.
- Identify local contributors to heart disease—such as heat exposure, air quality, and sociodemographic variation—and translate findings into targeted prevention and care models.
- Strengthen statewide partnerships to support community-engaged cardiovascular research.
Research Approach
1. Retrospective Data Integration
- The Data Science Unit is aggregating and analyzing existing datasets to:
- Map geographic variations in cardiovascular burden
- Identify disparities across demographic groups
- Explore associations between environmental exposures and heart health
- Establish baseline metrics to inform prospective study design
2. Prospective Longitudinal Cohort (In Development)
AZ-Heart is developing an Arizona-specific research cohort that will follow participants over time using:
- Clinical assessments and biospecimen collection
- Advanced cardiac imaging
- Biomarker and multi-omics profiling
- Geospatial and environmental exposure data
- Wearable and digital health technologies
What makes Arizona unique?
Arizona’s geographical and climatic profile—characterized by extreme heat, dry air, altitude variation, and rapid population shifts—creates a distinctive environment for cardiovascular research. Many region-specific risk factors remain underexplored. AZ-Heart seeks to address this gap by examining:
- Heat-related physiologic stress
- Air quality and environmental exposures
- Rural versus urban access to care
- Genetic and ancestral diversity across communities
- Behavioral and occupational differences shaped by climate
Statewide Collaboration
AZ-Heart is grounded in partnership. The study is building collaborations with:
- Academic and clinical departments at the University of Arizona
- Health systems and community health partners
- Tribal, rural, and urban community organizations
- Environmental and public health agencies
This inclusive approach aligns with the Sarver Heart Center’s mission to advance cardiovascular health through research, education, innovation, and community engagement.
Leadership
Hesham Sadek, MD, PhD
Director, Sarver Heart Center
Alane Blythe Dy, PhD, MSPH
Director, Data Science Unit
Principal Investigator, Arizona Heart Study