February is American Heart Month, and it comes at a critical moment: heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., yet many of the biggest risk factors—high blood pressure, smoking, poor access to preventive care—are largely preventable.
This Heart Month, we’re hoping to spotlight stories that go beyond the basics and look at what’s actually driving heart disease today—from gaps in access to preventive care, to rising risks among younger adults, to policies that shape who gets screened, treated, and supported early.
Possible story angles include:
- Why heart disease is still the No. 1 killer despite decades of awareness campaigns
- The growing heart-health risks facing younger adults and women
- How prevention (blood pressure control, smoking cessation, early screening) saves lives—and money
- Disparities in heart disease outcomes tied to access to care and affordability
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to speak to current data, prevention strategies, and what’s often missing from the national conversation around heart health. If you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum, katelyn [dot] deckelbaum
gwu [dot] edu (katelyn[dot]deckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).
William Borden is a professor of medicine and health policy at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He specializes in preventive cardiology and the treatment of high blood cholesterol.
Andrew Choi is the co-director of multimodality cardiac imaging and associate professor of medicine and radiology at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He specializes in cardiovascular imaging and prevention.
Brian Choi, is a professor of medicine and radiology, chief medical information officer, and co-director of advanced cardiac imaging in the division of cardiology at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Ramesh Mazhari is an associate professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She specializes in interventional cardiology, cardiac catheterization and peripheral vascular disease.
Christian Nagy is a practicing cardiologist and assistant professor at GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences and is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology and adult congenital heart disease.
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