Scientific Councils

Professional membership is made up of CV professionals who participate in discovery and dissemination of science through 16 Scientific Councils.


Scientific Councils

AHA Professional Membership is made up of a robust group of cardiovascular professionals who participate in discovery and dissemination of science. Within the membership group, we have 16 different scientific councils, each unique in their own way, which are sure to coincide with your cardiovascular specialties and classifications. 

AHA Professional Members affiliate and interact with one or more of these scientific councils that match their specialty or classification, depending on the membership level selected.


Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB)

Welcome to the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Council! Our council engages scientists and clinicians working to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerotic, vascular, and thrombotic diseases in the US and worldwide. Council membership includes investigators with interests that range from discovery science to clinical research.

Kerry-Anne Rye, PhD, FAHA Chair, Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology

 Vascular Discovery Scientific Sessions       ATVB       ATVB Council Awards


Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS)

Welcome to the Basic Cardiovascular Council of the American Heart Association (AHA). I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Council and to serve the mission of the AHA. BCVS is one of largest organizations dedicated to fundamental and translation research to improve heart health. Our membership spans the globe and, importantly, across the professional spectrum of cardiovascular researchers.

Elizabeth McNally, MD, PhD, FAHA Chair, Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 

BCVS Scientific Sessions        Circulation Research        BCVS Council Awards


Council on Cardiopulmonary, Critical Care, Perioperative and Resuscitation (3CPR)

The Council on Cardiopulmonary, Critical Care, Perioperative and Resuscitation’s bench-to-bedside and community approach ranges from integrated cardiopulmonary physiology to issues of critical care, emergency cardiovascular care and CPR.

This is an exciting time for the Council; the past few years have seen growth in our membership and new programs, including the formation of a robust Early Career Committee and inclusion of pre-hospital providers into our activities and programming.

Fumito Ichinose, MD, PhD, FAHA Chair, Council on Cardiopulmonary, Critical Care, Perioperative and Resuscitation

Resuscitation Science Symposium        Scientific Sessions        Circulation        3CPR Council Awards


Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing (CVSN)

Welcome to the website of the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing (CVSN). It is an honor and privilege to serve as CVSN Chair. I am looking forward to working with all of you to build upon what previous leaders have accomplished.

Through the valued expertise of our partners, we are able to accelerate the discovery, interpretation, and application of scientific knowledge to enhance cardiovascular health and treat cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The CVSN Council plays an essential role in the overall mission of AHA/ASA through helping to develop scientific statements and advisories, determining the nature and scope of professional education activities, providing scientific expertise and conducting research as well as promoting translation/application of new knowledge and evidence-base practices in clinical settings.

Cynthia M. Dougherty, ARNP, PhD, FAHA, FAAN Chair, Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing 

 Scientific Sessions       International Stroke Conference        Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing        CVSN Council Awards


Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention (CVRI)

I am proud to be a long-standing member of the Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention (CVRI) as it supports the American Heart Association (AHA) mission "to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives." The CVRI Council members further these missions by providing outstanding research, education, outreach, and mentorship in the fields of cardiovascular imaging and image-guided intervention.

Sanjay Misra, MD, FAHA, FSIR Chair, Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention 

Scientific Sessions     Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging     CVRI Council Awards


Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia (CVSA)

The Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia (CVSA) continues to work on improving and fostering education, research and clinical care of patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Whether attending Scientific Sessions in November, participating in writing scientific statements or guidelines, or getting involved in “You’re the Cure” or AHA advocacy efforts, we hope you will join the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia in its efforts to increase scientific and medical knowledge and better the quality of care of patients with cardiac and vascular disease amenable to treatment with surgery.

Michael Fischbein, MD, PhD Chair, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia

Scientific Sessions         Circulation        CVSA Council Awards


Council on Clinical Cardiology (CLCD)

The Council on Clinical Cardiology (CLCD) has a long history, starting with its origin in 1952. Since that time, the purpose of the Council has been to help promote excellence in clinical cardiology, advance the science in a variety of clinical cardiology areas, and foster professional development and education. Through these activities, we help to achieve the mission of the American Heart Association.

Eldrin Lewis, MD, MPH, FAHA, FACC Chair, Council on Clinical Cardiology

Scientific Sessions        Circulation        CLCD Council Awards


Council on Epidemiology and Prevention (EPI)

Welcome to the American Heart Association (AHA) Council on Epidemiology and Prevention! We are a multidisciplinary council dedicated to improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans. Our members study and impact population and individual health using molecular, epidemiological, social, technological, data analytic and advocacy tools to understand and improve the causes, consequences, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and stroke.

Cheryl Anderson, PhD, MPH, FAHA Chair, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention

EPI | Lifestyle Scientific Sessions        Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes        EPI Council Awards


Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine (GPM)

The Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine (GPM) is young and dynamic. Our mission is to advance scientific efforts, education and career development in genomics, translational biology, molecular epidemiology, clinical genetics, and to apply translational discoveries to clinical care. Our council members have expertise across these domains.

Carolyn Ho, MD Chair, Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine

Scientific Sessions        Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine       GPM Council Awards


Council on Hypertension

The mission of the Council on Hypertension is "to foster excellence in hypertension research and education" in order to achieve the American Heart Association's goal "to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives."

Karen A. Griffin, MD, FAHA, FASH, FASN, FACP Chair, Council on Hypertension

Hypertension Scientific Sessions         Hypertension         Hypertension Council Awards


Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young (Young Hearts)

Over the years, through Council activities, many of the important initiatives that have shaped our discipline have been developed or have been nurtured by the AHA through the Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young. Through active engagement and participation at the local and national levels, Young Hearts Council members can play an important role in shaping public policy and clinical standards.


Shelley Miyamoto, MD, FAHA Chair, Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young

 Scientific Sessions        Young Hearts Council Awards


Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health

The Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health is focused on nutrition, physical activity, obesity, diabetes, lipids, and the behaviors related to these conditions and how they contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Frank Sacks, MD, FAHA Chair, Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health

 EPI | Lifestyle Scientific Sessions        Circulation        Lifestyle Council Awards


Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

The Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) seeks to integrate the academic and clinical missions of all interdisciplinary vascular health professionals in order to expand professional and public vascular education; to advance the basic science and clinical research and evidence based practice; and to thereby improve clinical outcomes of individuals with PVD.


Naomi Hamburg, MD, MS, FAHA Chair, Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease

 Vascular Discovery Scientific Sessions        Circulation        PVD Council Awards


Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research (QCOR)

If changing the way medicine is practiced is your passion, then the Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research (QCOR) is where you belong! Our partnres are dedicated to understanding how we can provide effective, safe, timely, equitable, efficient, and patient-centered care and improve patient outcomes and population health.


William Borden, MD, FAHA Chair, Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research

 QCOR Scientific Sessions        Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes        QCOR Council Awards


Council on the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease (KCVD)

Welcome to the Council for the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease (KCVD). Our Council strives to reduce cardiovascular-related disability and death through clinical, translational, and basic research, communication, advocacy and education relevant to: a) the role of the kidney in hypertension, b) the role of the kidney in cardiovascular diseases – this includes acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease and its effects on heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease, c) the specific role of the kidney in diabetes-induced cardiovascular disease, and d) cardio-renal syndrome.


Alexander Staruschenko, PhD, FAHA Chair, Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease

 Hypertension Scientific Sessions        Hypertension        KCVD Council Awards


Stroke Council 

The American Heart Association's mission is "to be a relentless force for a world Longer, healthier lives." The Stroke Council, one of 16 scientific councils within the American Heart Association, is uniquely dedicated to advancing the science of stroke prevention, treatment and recovery through research and education.


Peter D. Panagos, MD Chair, Stroke Council

 International Stroke Conference        Stroke        Stroke Council Awards