November 24, 2025
The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center announces the launch of the Arizona Heart Study (AZ-Heart), a research initiative designed to better understand the burden of heart disease in Arizona and identify risk factors that may be unique to the state’s geography, climate and diverse population.
Led by the Sarver Heart Center’s Data Science Unit, the initiative will take a two-pronged approach. Researchers will analyze existing health system and cohort data to characterize current patterns of heart disease in the region, while also laying the groundwork for a longitudinal research cohort that will track heart health over time through prospective clinical measurements, imaging, biomarkers, environmental exposures and digital health data. Together, these efforts aim to generate evidence that supports prevention strategies tailored to Arizona’s population and environment.
“Arizona presents a distinct landscape for heart health research,” said Hesham Sadek, MD, PhD, director of the Sarver Heart Center. “In addition to well-known cardiovascular risk factors, the Arizona Heart Study will allow us to investigate regional drivers such as extreme heat, environmental exposures, unique genetic backgrounds and changing demographics, and translate those insights into prevention strategies adapted to the needs of Arizona communities.”
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Arizona, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet many of the risk factors and health trajectories affecting populations in the Southwest remain underexamined. By building this research infrastructure, AZ-Heart aims to address a critical gap in understanding cardiovascular disease in the region and generate insights that can guide prevention and care throughout Arizona.
“Our goal is to combine advanced statistical methods with clinical, environmental and behavioral insight,” said Alane Blythe Dy, PhD, MSPH, director of the Sarver Heart Center Data Science Unit and lead investigator of the study. “We want to understand what existing data can tell us while also building a cohort designed to reflect the unique conditions affecting Arizonans, so we can begin answering questions that matter most for our communities.”
In addition to advancing scientific discovery, AZ-Heart is committed to building partnerships with academic institutions, health systems and community organizations across the state. This collaborative approach supports the Sarver Heart Center’s mission to improve cardiovascular health through research, education and community engagement.
For more information about the Arizona Heart Study and the Sarver Heart Center Data Science Unit, learn more about Dr. Dy’s work and the AZ-Heart initiative.