AHW Grants Drive Advancements in Heart Health Research

February is American Heart Month, a reminder that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. In Wisconsin, heart disease places a significant burden on individuals, families, and communities, contributing to preventable illness, strained health systems, and persistent health disparities. Addressing these challenges requires continued investment in research, innovation, and care models that respond to real-world needs across the state.

Through strategic funding, the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment (AHW) supports work to strengthen cardiovascular health across Wisconsin. From laboratory science and clinical innovation to community-based prevention and recovery, AHW-funded projects are advancing efforts to improve outcomes and expand access to care.

Cardiovascular Disease Affects Wisconsin Communities

Heart disease remains a pressing public health issue in Wisconsin. More than 30% of adults have high blood pressure, and nearly half do not have it adequately controlled, placing the state among the poorest performers nationally. Diabetes affects 9.4% of Wisconsin adults and drives an estimated $5.9 billion in annual health care costs, significantly increasing the risk of serious cardiovascular complications. Congenital heart disease affects one in every 100 babies born in the state, with higher-than-average rates in some eastern regions.

These challenges extend beyond individual diagnoses, shaping care delivery, long-term outcomes, and overall community health. AHW funding supports advancements across the full continuum of cardiovascular health, including prevention and early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term management.

AHW-Funded Projects Advancing Heart Health Across Wisconsin

A Blood Test for Wisconsin’s Smallest Heart Patients

Approximately 30% of babies born with congenital heart disease require surgery during infancy, and Children’s Wisconsin provides care for 60% of newborns in the state with this condition. Care teams currently rely on cell-free DNA testing, which detects genetic fragments in the blood to identify post-surgical complications. However, the blood volumes required make this testing inaccessible for the smallest and highest-risk patients.

A research team led by Michael Mitchell, MD (Surgery), at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), with co-investigators Paula North, MD, PhD (Pediatrics), and Aoy Tomita-Mitchell, PhD, is working to close this gap by developing and validating a low-volume version of the test. Supported by a $50,000 AHW Seed Grant, this 12-month project focuses on creating an approach designed specifically for infants, rather than adapting tools intended for older patients. The goal is to improve monitoring and enable earlier detection of complications among those at greatest risk.

Understanding How Diabetes Damages the Heart

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a progressive weakening of the heart muscle caused by diabetes. The condition affects nearly 17% of people living with the disease and carries a survival rate of less than 50% after 10 years. Despite its severity, effective treatment options remain limited.

Research led by Xiaowen Bai, MD, PhD (Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy), at the MCW is examining the molecular mechanisms that drive this condition. Supported by a $50,000 AHW Seed Grant, the team uses human stem cell-derived heart muscle cells to study how the protective protein NRG4 influences heart cell survival and function. This work seeks to identify new therapeutic targets that could inform more personalized approaches to treating diabetes-related heart disease.

Can Singing Serve as Cardiac Rehabilitation for Older Adults?

Participation in traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs remains low among older adults, particularly older women and Black individuals. Barriers such as frailty, chronic conditions, transportation challenges, and fall risk often limit access to these programs, despite their well-documented benefits.

A research team led by Jacquelyn Kulinski, MD (Medicine), at MCW, with co-investigators David Nelson, PhD, MS (Family Medicine), and Rodney Sparapani, PhD (Institute for Health & Humanity), is exploring whether group singing could serve as an accessible alternative. Previous work by the team showed that 30 minutes of solo singing improves endothelial function, the ability of blood vessels to regulate blood flow, corresponding to an estimated 25% reduction in cardiovascular risk.

Supported by a $250,000 AHW Momentum Grant, this 24-month project will test the feasibility of structured group singing as a rehabilitation intervention for older adults with coronary artery disease, helping to build evidence for more inclusive recovery options.

A Team-Based Approach to Controlling Blood Pressure in Southeast Wisconsin

High blood pressure remains a leading contributor to heart attacks and strokes, particularly when it goes undetected or unmanaged between clinic visits. To address this challenge, AHW is supporting a team-based approach to hypertension management in southeast Wisconsin.

Led by Michael Widlansky, MD (Cardiovascular Research Center), with co-investigator Anthony De Franco, MD (Medicine), at MCW, this innovative initiative will combine home-based blood pressure monitoring with remote communication integrated directly into patients’ medical records. This model will allow pharmacists and community health workers to actively support blood pressure management between clinic visits.

Funded by a $2,509,869 AHW grant over five years, the initiative will expand staffing, develop patient and provider educational materials, and work toward sustained, equitable improvements in blood pressure control across the region.

Advancing Heart Health for All Wisconsin Residents

Together, these AHW-funded projects reflect a coordinated response to cardiovascular disease in Wisconsin, supporting research, clinical innovation, and community-based approaches that address prevention, treatment, and recovery. By investing across disciplines and care settings, AHW continues to advance efforts that respond to statewide needs and strengthen long-term heart health.

This American Heart Month, AHW reaffirms its commitment to supporting work that improves cardiovascular outcomes and expands access to effective care for communities across Wisconsin.

Learn more about the wide range of projects AHW supports by visiting the Funded Projects page on our website.