Cardiovascular Medicine

Nearly 60 million Americans — one out of every five adults — have some form of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease or congestive heart failure. Cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death in the United States, claimed the lives of more than 84,000 Californians in 1996 and accounted for 38 percent of all in-state deaths that year. Cardiovascular disease costs the state more than $15 billion in direct medical costs and indirect (lost productivity) costs, an estimated $500 per Californian. The basic scientists, clinical researchers and physicians in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine are working together to target specific aspects of cardiovascular and vascular biology and to improve our understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The division has an outstanding track record in training new cardiologists. Our faculty have been honored with the School of Medicine Excellence in Teaching Basic or Clinical Sciences Award three of the past eight years. The Cardiovascular Division Fellowship Program, which has produced medical leaders for more than 15 years, continues to prepare physicians to care for the patients of today and tomorrow while they pursue important research. Their investigations will increase our understanding of heart failure, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes and stroke, prompting new discoveries that will lead to better treatments and, ultimately, cures for all cardiovascular disease.