Gerald S. Berenson, M.D., FACC

Clinical Professor, Section of Cardiology,
Department of Medicine
Clinical Professor, Section of Pediatric Cardiology,
Department of Pediatrics
Research Professor, Department of Epidemiology
Director, Tulane Center for Cardiovascular Health
Principal Investigator, Bogalusa Heart Study

Military:
Internship, U.S. Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, Illinois, 1945-1946

Camp Pediatrician, U.S. Marine Base, Camp LeJeune, Jacksonville, NC, 1947

USS Tanner AGS-15, Atlantic Coast Geodetic Survey Ship, 1948

Education/Training:
M.D., Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 1945

Instructor, Department of Medicine, 1948-1952

Fellowship:
United States Public Health Service (NIH), Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, IL, 1954

Certification:
Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 1953

Interests:
Cardiovascular Disease, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, Internal Medicine, Preventive Cardiology

Research Studies conducted by Dr. Berenson:

Evolution of Cardiovascular Risk with Normal Aging NIH/NIA

The research involves long-term follow-up examinations of a cohort of individuals reaching middle age in the Bogalusa Heart Study. The research will attempt to distinguish subclinical cardiovascular disease due to an intrinsic normal aging process versus the burden of cardiovascular risk factors over a lifetime. In particular, this study focuses on 1) traditional and non-traditional risk factors, 2) subclinical changes of the heart and blood vessels, and 3) selected longevity-associated genetic markers. The research is supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health.

Early Natural History of Arteriosclerosis NHLBI/NIH

The Bogalusa Heart Study, which is ongoing since 1972, represents a major commitment to study the early natural history of cardiovascular diseases, how adult heart diseases like coronary artery disease; hypertension and adult onset diabetes mellitus begin in childhood. This long term study includes repeat cardiovascular risk factors observations of infants, children, and young adults reaching middle age, and post mortem examination of pathology of cardiovascular system. Bogalusa is a biracial (black-white) and semi-rural population. Currently, this study focuses on the impact of genetic factors at genomic level on the evolution of cardiovascular risk form childhood. This research was supported by the National heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health and a renewal is pending.

Childhood Predictor of Coronary Artery Disease NICHD/NIH

As part of the Bogalusa Heart Study this research project focuses on identifying markers or traits related to the atherosclerotic process during childhood and adolescence in offspring of parents with clinically proven coronary heart disease (CHD). A number of parameters related to atherogenesis and thrombogenesis that are applicable in an epidemiologic setting is being explored in a biracial (black-white) sample of young individuals. This research was supported by the National Institute of Child and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health.

Health Ahead/Heart Smart – Coordinated Health Education

The Health Ahead/Heart Smart health education program was developed as an outgrowth of the Bogalusa Heart Study. Since 1972, researchers with the Bogalusa Heart Study have been investigating cardiovascular risk factors and behaviors, like diet and smoking in children. Based on the long-term epidemiologic research, a comprehensive health education program was developed as a public health model for prevention. The Health Ahead/Heart Smart program addresses the entire school environment and includes classroom, school nutrition, physical education, teacher, parent and community programs directed to enhancing and improving lifestyles of school children, teachers and families. The Health Ahead/Heart Smart health education program is a community awareness and health promotion program designed to target K-6 grades. Strongly behaviorally oriented, the curriculum guides address bad lifestyle choices such as drugs, alcohol, smoking, dropouts and even violent behavior. The health education program is a public health model for Preventive Cardiology.