Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher, MD, PhD

Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher, MD, PhD, FAHA

Senior Research Scientist

Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher, MD, PhD, FAHA, is a senior research scientist in the cardiology department at Rhode Island Hospital and an associate professor of medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

After 20 years as a cardiologist in her native Italy, she came to realize that efforts to treat cardiovascular disease cannot be successful without lasting and sustainable change in lifestyle. This prompted her to launch a research career in behavioral cardiology. Her research program focuses on the role of psychosocial factors in the development of cardiovascular disease and on novel strategies targeting psycho-behavioral factors to promote cardiovascular health.

Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher conducts seminal research on stress (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy as a model of the complex interactions among psychological factors, reproductive factors and cardiovascular physiology.

She studies the role of mind-body approaches in the promotion of cardiovascular health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, medication adherence) as well as the possible mechanisms underlying such behavioral changes, with a focus on cognitive self-regulatory processes. With the design of a mobile-delivered mindfulness intervention for patients with heart failure and of a tai chi-based exercise program for patient unable to attend traditional cardiac rehabilitation, she is also contributing to ongoing efforts to reach patients who have fewer options to improve their wellbeing and lifestyle.

Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher's research has been funded by the American Heart Association, the US National Institutes of Health, the Templeton Foundation, the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, and the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute. Her work has been featured in Reuters, Time magazine, on NBC-Channel 10, CBS National News, and other media outlets.

Learn more about Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher's research on Brown University's website

Contact Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher 

Email: [email protected] 
The Mind & Heart Lab: https://mindandheartlab.org