The American Heart Association awarded more than $1.7 million to researchers at universities in Indiana in 2012 to fund new studies in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Combined with existing grants, the American Heart Association is investing more than $4.4 million in research in Indiana.

Sixteen new studies were funded in Indiana this year:

• Purdue University, 4 studies, $811,000

• Indiana University, 10 studies, $748,476

• University of Notre Dame, 2 studies, $195,000

“Funding from the American Heart Association is critical for continued advancement of my research program and all of the other dedicated researchers in Indiana,” Purdue University professor James Tisdale, said. His research seeks to better understand means of preventing and managing life-threatening drug-induced arrhythmias. “Without the support of the AHA, this work could not be conducted and completed, and Hoosiers would miss out on life-saving breakthroughs. I am grateful to the AHA for their continued support.”

“The American Heart Association is proud to contribute more than $1.7 million in research funding to Indiana institutions this year,” said Dr. Art Coffey, president of the American Heart Association’s Indianapolis board of directors. “We are investing in groundbreaking research right here in Indiana through the generosity of Hoosier donors and corporations. We are happy to give back to the community by supporting the efforts of Indiana’s outstanding cardiovascular researchers.”

Since 1949 the American Heart Association has spent more than $3.3 billion nationally on research to increase knowledge about cardiovascular disease and stroke. The Association has carved an important niche in supporting the development of beginning investigators and offering innovative funding mechanisms to stimulate research in promising areas of cardiovascular science. The American Heart Association is second only to the federal government in funding cardiovascular and stroke research.

The American Heart Association has funded many major breakthroughs such as the first artificial heart valve, techniques and standards for CPR, implantable pacemakers, treatment for infant respiratory distress syndrome, cholesterol inhibitors, microsurgery and drug-coated stents. The Association has also funded the research of 11 Nobel Prize-winning scientists.

Research awards are given out in January and July of each year. Midwest Affiliate funding is available in six categories: Predoctoral Fellowship, which offers programs to help students initiate careers in cardiovascular and stroke research; Postdoctoral Fellowship, which offers funding to provide training for and encourage the pursuit of research careers; Clinical Research Program, which encourages early career investigators to engage in high quality introductory and pilot clinical studies; Scientist Development Grants, which helps promising beginning scientists to move from completion of research training to independent investigators; and Grant-in-Aid, which supports innovative, highly meritorious cardiovascular and stroke research projects from innovative investigators.