The Division of Cardiovascular Sciences is at the centre of cardiovascular research in Manchester. We are a team of clinicians and scientists with national and international reputations in our fields. 

We work to translate our understanding of the cellular, molecular and genetic processes underlying cardiovascular disease into improved clinical treatments and patient care. Along with colleagues throughout the Faculties of Biology, Medicine and Health; Science and Engineering; and Humanities we conduct innovative, integrative and interdisciplinary research.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of premature death and disability in the UK. More than half of the UK population will develop CVD during their lifetime. Greater Manchester and Blackpool have the two highest rates of premature death from CVD in England. Nationally, cardiovascular health inequity is increasing and key CVD outcomes are over-represented in the ethnically diverse populations of the north-west of England.

Our research

Our research is advancing the understanding of cardiovascular health and disease, to transform the lives of patients with heart and circulatory disease.

The Division of Cardiovascular Sciences hosts two major, highly complementary, awards central to addressing our goals – the British Heart Foundation Research Excellence Award and the NIHR BRC Integrative Cardiovascular Medicine theme.

Research themes

Heart failure

By defining pathophysiological mechanisms and the interplay between obesity, ageing, co-morbidities and environmental factors in the setting of heart failure, we are identifying novel biomarkers for early detection and prevention of disease; identifying and evaluating novel therapeutic approaches, and developing precision risk stratification strategies for the management of patients with heart failure.   

Stroke, vascular dementia and blood vessel diseases

Using multi-disciplinary approaches we are discovering novel mechanisms underlying these vascular diseases to identify and develop translatable therapeutic targets; identifying factors that predict adverse outcomes in order to improve early detection of disease; and improving patient outcomes and clinical care through novel rehabilitation regimens.

Cardiovascular genetics and genomics

We are taking forward our genetic discoveries in hypertension, congenital heart disease and inherited cardiac conditions using functional genomics and deep longitudinal phenotyping (immunophenotyping, advanced imaging, and tissue poly-omics) to better understand phenotypic complexity and to identify novel drug/ drug repurposing opportunities.

The impact and breadth of our research is illustrated by the cases highlighted on our Heart and Circulatory Research webpage.

Our commitment

We’re committed to training and teaching to develop the next generation of scientists, clinicians and future leaders in cardiovascular research.

We provide trainees (clinical and non-clinical) at all stages of their career with opportunities and support to engage in research and academic training. These include postgraduate study through the Manchester British Heart Foundation 4-year PhD Programme and our MSc in Cardiovascular Health and Disease. Clinical trainees can join our Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL) and Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) programmes in Cardiology, Dementia, Vascular Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Acute Care.

Head of Division

Professor Elizabeth Cartwright

Deputy Head of Division

Dr Nick Ashton

Division Research Lead 

Dr Luigi Venetucci

Our researchers

View list of researchers within the Division

Contact

[email protected]