Mayo Clinic Cardiologist and Researcher Dr. Amir Lerman Dies at 69

Known for his work on microvascular angina, Lerman spent nearly 40 years at Mayo Clinic and was remembered as a happy, humble mentor.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:45am

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Dr. Amir Lerman, a renowned cardiologist and researcher at Mayo Clinic, passed away on February 23, 2026 at the age of 69. Lerman, who spent nearly four decades at Mayo Clinic, was globally recognized for his contributions to understanding microvascular angina, a cause of chest pain. His family and colleagues remember him as a joyful, humble person who took great pride in mentoring young medical professionals.

Why it matters

Lerman's pioneering research on microvascular angina helped advance the medical community's understanding of the condition and led to new approaches for treating patients suffering from unexplained chest pain. As a long-serving and respected member of the Mayo Clinic team, his passing represents the loss of an influential figure in the field of cardiology.

The details

Lerman grew up and studied medicine in Israel before relocating to Rochester, Minnesota in 1989 for his internal medicine residency at Mayo Clinic. He would remain at the institution for the rest of his career. During his time at Mayo, Lerman authored nearly 1,000 research publications that have been cited over 69,000 times. In 2024, he was awarded the title of Distinguished Mayo Clinic Investigator, the highest research recognition available at the clinic. Much of Lerman's work focused on microvascular angina, a condition caused by blockages in the smaller blood vessels of the heart, rather than the larger coronary arteries.

  • Lerman passed away on February 23, 2026 at the age of 69.
  • In 2024, Lerman was named a Distinguished Mayo Clinic Investigator.

The players

Dr. Amir Lerman

A cardiologist and researcher who spent nearly 40 years at Mayo Clinic, where he was globally recognized for his contributions to understanding microvascular angina.

Dr. Ben Lerman

Amir Lerman's son, who is a physician based in the New York City area.

Dr. Lilach Lerman

Amir Lerman's wife, who is a renovascular disease researcher.

Dr. Charanjit Rihal

A Mayo Clinic cardiologist who nominated Amir Lerman for the Distinguished Mayo Clinic Investigator award in 2024.

Dr. Véronique Roger

A cardiologist who worked at Mayo Clinic for almost 30 years and collaborated with Amir Lerman.

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What they’re saying

“He was really happy. He loved his life. He loved the people around him.”

— Dr. Ben Lerman, Amir Lerman's son

“If I had a fellow classmate or colleague that needed help, before I even finished the sentence, he would offer to help them.”

— Dr. Ben Lerman, Amir Lerman's son

“It is remarkable that people from numerous countries flock to his laboratory. It takes a special individual to bridge potential geopolitical divides in the interest of our patients, science, mentees and Mayo Clinic.”

— Dr. Charanjit Rihal, Mayo Clinic cardiologist

“Both him and his wife and me and my husband were transplants to Rochester, so to speak, coming from different countries, different cultures. He had a terrific sense of humor. He was just fun to be around. He was also a great friend.”

— Dr. Véronique Roger, Cardiologist

“I've never seen him as happy as he was the day before he died, holding his grandson. The final memory of him is the best memory.”

— Dr. Ben Lerman, Amir Lerman's son

What’s next

Mayo Clinic plans to hold a memorial service to honor Dr. Amir Lerman's legacy and contributions to the field of cardiology.

The takeaway

Dr. Amir Lerman's passing represents the loss of a pioneering researcher and beloved mentor who dedicated nearly four decades to advancing the understanding and treatment of microvascular angina. His colleagues and family remember him as a joyful, humble person who had a profound impact on the lives of his patients, students, and the broader medical community.