OAKLAND, August 1, 2025 — The American Heart Association has awarded $5 million to research teams from the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Pleasanton, California to fund studies that explore ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate and improve screening and treatment for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for Americans.

“AI was once relegated to the realm of science fiction; however, it’s quickly becoming a part of everyday life for all of us. The American Heart Association has been a leader in cardiovascular science and research for more than a century, and we recognize the importance of learning how we can harness this revolutionary tool to improve health for people everywhere,” said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., American Heart Association volunteer president, senior vice president of Women's Health and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health of Northwell Health in New York City.

David Ouyang, M.D., a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research and a non-invasive cardiologist at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center, will lead a prospective multi-center clinical trial that will evaluate ways to use AI to expand the usefulness of heart ultrasounds, or echocardiograms. While doctors currently use ultrasounds to check the heart, these scans can also show nearby organs like the liver and kidneys. Previous research has found that conditions impacting the kidneys and liver can lead to an increased risk of complications related to cardiovascular disease; however, cardiologists aren't trained to look for problems in these other organs.

“Ultrasounds are commonly used in medical care because they are inexpensive, portable and don’t use radiation,” said Ouyang. “Receiving this funding from the American Heart Association is an incredible opportunity to see if we can use AI to detect early signs of kidney or liver disease on our heart ultrasounds, and if having this information changes or improves health care delivery. It also allows us to investigate how we can use AI to get more value from the routine imaging that takes place daily in a health care setting.”

The clinical trials will evaluate whether AI technology can be used to detect early signs of kidney and liver disease on heart ultrasounds. The clinical trial sites will be conducted within four different health care systems: Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Stanford Health Care, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Massachusetts General Brigham.

Early diagnosis of kidney and liver disease can improve the chances of getting treatment for these conditions, as well as reduce the complications that impact cardiovascular disease. Early diagnosis is becoming increasingly important as the prevalence of cardiovascular, kidney and liver disease are all on the rise, as referenced in several reports from the American Heart Association: 

“While artificial intelligence and machine-learning may seem like the buzz phrases of the day, pioneering research has long been an essential element of the American Heart Association’s work and these new research grants are not our first foray into this space,” Rosen said. “We’ve been instrumental in bringing cutting-edge technology to millions of scientists across the globe through our Precision Medicine Platform launched nearly a decade ago, and we will continue to drive those projects that can add to the body of science that supports our lifesaving mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.”

Funding scientific research and discovery through initiatives like these grants is a cornerstone of the century-old American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission. The Association has now funded more than $6 billion in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health research since 1949, making it the single largest nonprofit, non-government supporter of heart and brain health research in the U.S. New knowledge resulting from this funding continues to save lives and directly impact millions of people in every corner of the U.S. and around the world.

 

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About the American Heart Association 

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day.  Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X, Instagram or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.


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Nerissa Itchon, nerissa.itchon@heart.org

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