Cleveland Clinic Leads Charge in Cardiovascular Genomics

New program aims to transform heart disease detection, treatment, and prevention through genetic insights.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Cleveland Clinic is at the forefront of a revolution in cardiovascular medicine, establishing the Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genomics and Precision Medicine and the Center for Cardiovascular Genomics and Data Science. This initiative promises to transform how heart disease is detected, treated, and prevented by integrating genetic testing and counseling into routine cardiovascular care.

Why it matters

Advancements in genomic science are allowing researchers to pinpoint the specific genetic contributors to conditions like cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, lipid disorders, and early heart attack. The goal is to intervene before a catastrophic event occurs, ushering in a new era of precision medicine where treatment is tailored to a patient's unique genetic risks.

The details

The program is led by Dr. Krishna Aragam, Cleveland Clinic's inaugural William E. Macaulay Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Genomics. Dr. Aragam's research has focused on identifying genes and variants associated with coronary artery disease, heart failure, and dilated cardiomyopathy. The vision is to build a comprehensive, integrated program that bridges the gap between discovery science and clinical implementation, including training clinicians, developing a biobank, and establishing clinical sections dedicated to specific genetic heart conditions.

  • Cleveland Clinic established the Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genomics and Precision Medicine and the Center for Cardiovascular Genomics and Data Science in 2026.

The players

Dr. Krishna Aragam

Cleveland Clinic's inaugural William E. Macaulay Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Genomics, who brings experience from Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

Dr. Samir Kapadia

Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, who explains that by integrating clinical genomics and investigative studies, they can offer patients access to the latest screening strategies and treatments tailored to their unique risks.

Cleveland Clinic

A leading academic medical center that is at the forefront of the revolution in cardiovascular medicine, establishing new programs and centers focused on cardiovascular genomics and precision medicine.

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What they’re saying

“By integrating clinical genomics and investigative studies, we can offer our patients access to the latest screening strategies and treatments tailored to their unique risks.”

— Dr. Samir Kapadia, Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic

What’s next

The program aims to identify patients at high risk before they experience a major cardiac event and tailor their management accordingly. One promising area is cardio-oncology, where genetic factors can predict which patients are more likely to experience heart complications from chemotherapy, allowing for proactive adjustments to surveillance and treatment plans.

The takeaway

Cleveland Clinic's commitment to cardiovascular genomics promises to unlock new insights and pave the way for a more personalized and effective approach to preventing and treating heart disease, bridging the gap between discovery science and clinical implementation.