About
Director, Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center Director, Linda Joy Pollin Women's Heart Health Program Director, Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center, Smidt Heart Institute Professor, Cardiology Cedars-Sinai Medical Center C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, is Director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center, the Linda Joy Pollin Women’s Heart Health Program, the Erika J. Glazer Women’s Heart Research Initiative, and the Preventive Cardiac Center at the Smidt Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. She also is Professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Bairey Merz’s research interests include women and cardiovascular disease, mental stress and heart disease, the role of exercise and stress management in reversing disease, the role of cholesterol and nutrition management in heart disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and cardiovascular disease, and precision medicine monitoring to predict unexpected cardiovascular events. She is chair of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)-sponsored WISE (Women’s Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation) initiative, which is investigating potential methods for more effective diagnosis and evaluation of ischemic heart disease in women. Dr. Bairey Merz has received investigational grants from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIH-National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine (NCCAM), the National Institutes of Aging (NIA), the Flight Attendants Medical Research Institute, the Pfeiffer Foundation, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the Barbra Streisand Foundation, the Erika J. Glazer Women’s Heart Research Initiative, the Society for Women’s Health Research, the Linda Joy Pollin Women’s Heart Health Program, and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense. A prolific lecturer, Dr. Bairey Merz, is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the European Society of Cardiology, the American Association of Physicians, the Association of University Cardiologists, the Advisory Board of the NIH Office of Research in Women’s Health, and chairs of the ACC CVD in Women Committee. She is past member of the NHLBI Advisory Council, the Board of Trustees of the ACC, and is a past-chair of the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease committee, and the Women in Cardiology Committee of the AHA. Other professional associations have included membership on the National Space Biomedical Research Institute Board of Scientific Counselors, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Board of Examiners, and she chaired the NIH-sponsored Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigations 2 Diabetes (BARI-2D) Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). She serves on the advisory boards of lay organizations, including WomenHeart, and the Women’s Heart Alliance. She has an extensive scientific publication record of over 450 scientific publications and book chapters, and more than 300 abstracts. Her work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, Circulation, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, and the Journal of Women’s Health. Dr. Bairey Merz has received numerous awards and honors including the ACC Bernadine Healy Leadership in Women’s CV Disease Award, 2016, the 2014 Professional Achievement Award from the University of Chicago, the 2013 Fellowship Award from the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the 2012 17th Annual Women in Leadership Award from the City of West Hollywood, CA, the 2012 Distinguished Scientist (Clinical Domain) Award from the American College of Cardiology, the 2012 Journal of Women’s Health Award for Outstanding Achievement in Women’s Health Research award, the 2011-2012 Annual DeSteven’s Lectureship from Northwestern University in Chicago IL, the 2011 Visiting Professorship, Christiana Care Health System award, the 2009 AHA Women in Cardiology Mentoring Award, the 2008 McCue Female Cardiologist of the Year Award, the 2005 Red Dress Award For Leadership in Cardiovascular Research in Women, the 2005 VHA Inc. Best Practices Awards for Special Achievement Award presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of health care, the 2005 Women of the 21st Century award from the Women’s Guild of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and the 2006 Alvin P. Shapiro Award by Psychosomatic Society for excellence in clinical research. Dr. Bairey Merz has appeared frequently in the media, recognized as an authority on the subject of heart disease. Her television appearances have included 60 Minutes, the Today Show, Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, NBC Dateline and 20/20. She has also been interviewed for articles published in The New York Times, Ladies Home Journal, US News & World Report and Working Woman Magazine, to name a few. Dr. Bairey Merz received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and her medical degree from Harvard University. She completed her residency at the University of California, San Francisco, where she served as Chief Medical Resident. Dr. Bairey Merz also completed fellowships in clinical cardiology and nuclear cardiology and served as Chief Cardiology Fellow at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. C. Noel Bairey Merz holds the Women's Guild Endowed Chair in Women's Health, and is director of the Women's Heart Center as well as the Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She also is professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Bairey Merz's research interests include women and heart disease, mental stress and heart disease, the role of exercise and stress management in reversing disease, and the role of nutrition in heart disease. Currently, she is chair of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored WISE (Women's Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation) initiative, which is investigating potential methods for more effective diagnosis and evaluation of coronary artery disease in women. Dr. Bairey Merz has received investigational grants from the NIH-National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIH-National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine (NCCAM), the Pfeiffer Foundation, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the Barbra Streisand Foundation and the Women's Guild. A prolific lecturer, Dr. Bairey Merz is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Heart Association (AHA), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the NHLBI Advisory Council, the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research, the American Society of Preventive Cardiology, the Association of Academic Women's Health Programs, and the Association of Women's Heart Programs. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the ACC, where she is a fellow, and is a past-chair of the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease committee. She currently holds the chair of the Women in Cardiology Committee of the AHA. Other professional associations include membership on the National Space Biomedical Research Institute Board of Scientific Counselors, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Board of Examiners, and she is chair of the NIH-sponsored Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigations 2 Diabetes (BARI-2D) Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). She serves on the advisory boards of lay organizations, including Women's Heart and Sister-to-Sister. Dr. Bairey Merz has an extensive scientific publication record consisting of over 180 scientific publications, more than 200 abstracts, and numerous book chapters. Her work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, Circulation, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, and the Journal of Women's Health. Dr. Bairey Merz has received numerous awards and honors including: the 2008 McCue Female Cardiologist of the Year Award; the 2005 Red Dress Award for Leadership in Cardiovascular Research in Women; the 2005 VHA Inc. Best Practices Awards for Special Achievement Award, presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of healthcare; the 2005 Women of the 21st Century award from the Women's Guild of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and the 2006 Alvin P. Shapiro Award from the Psychosomatic Society, for excellence in clinical research. Dr. Bairey Merz has appeared frequently in the media, recognized as an authority on the subject of heart disease and stress. Her television appearances have included Good Morning America, NBC Dateline and 20/20. She has also been interviewed for articles published in the New York Times, Ladies Home Journal, USNews & World Report and Working Woman Magazine, to name a few. Dr. Bairey Merz is currently the national spokesperson for VHA's Women's HeartAdvantage campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of heart disease in women. Dr. Bairey Merz received her bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago and her medical degree from Harvard University. She completed her residency at the University of California, San Francisco, where she served as Chief Medical Resident. Dr. Bairey Merz also completed fellowships in clinical cardiology and nuclear cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
View More >>Skills
Experience
Director, Clinical Scholars Program
Department of Cardiology Research, Cedars-Sinai
Medical Director and Women’s Guild Endowed Chair
Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Adjunct Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine (Voluntary)
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC)
Acting Director, Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center
Jan-1990 to Jan-1991Education
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Chief Medical Resident in Biological Sciences
Passout Year: 1985
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Medical Residency in Biological Sciences
Passout Year: 1984Publication
Ischemia and no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA): A narrative review
Myocardial ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is a chronic coronary syndrome condition that is increasingly being recognized as a substantial contributor to adverse cardi...
Heart–brain interactions in cardiac and brain diseases: why sex matters
Cardiovascular disease and brain disorders, such as depression and cognitive dysfunction, are highly prevalent conditions and are among the leading causes limiting patient’s quality of lif...
Mild Renal Insufficiency Is Associated With Angiographic Coronary Artery Disease in Women
Background— Mild renal insufficiency is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events in women with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the relationship between mild rena...
Coronary Arterial Function and Disease in Women With No Obstructive Coronary Arteries
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of mortality in women. While traditional cardiovascular risk factors play an important role in the development of IHD in women, women may ex...
Rationale and design of the Women's Ischemia Trial to Reduce Events in Nonobstructive CAD (WARRIOR) trial
Background Approximately half of all women with anginal symptoms and/or signs of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) referred for coronary angiography have elevated ...
The Lancet women and cardiovascular disease Commission: reducing the global burden by 2030
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. Decades of grassroots campaigns have helped to raise awareness about the impact of cardiovascular disease in women, and positiv...
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with microvascular angina: an international and prospective cohort study by the Coronary Vasomotor ...
Aims To provide multi-national, multi-ethnic data on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with microvascular angina (MVA). Methods and results The Coronary Vasomotor D...
Contraception and Reproductive Planning for Women With Cardiovascular Disease: JACC Focus Seminar 5/5
The majority of reproductive-age women with cardiovascular disease are sexually active. Early and accurate counseling by the cardiovascular team regarding disease-specific contraceptive safe...
Management of Women With Congenital or Inherited Cardiovascular Disease From Pre-Conception Through Pregnancy and Postpartum: JACC Focus Seminar 2/5
Maternal morbidity and mortality continue to rise in the United States, with cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of maternal deaths. Congenital heart disease is now the most common c...
Sex Differences in Blood Pressure Associations With Cardiovascular Outcomes
For decades, 120 mm Hg has been considered the normal upper limit for adult systolic blood pressure (SBP). Practice guidelines have long referred to this threshold for classifying ranges of ...
Role in Research Journals
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Journal Name: Prevention Magazine
Role: Editor
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Journal Name: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Basic to Translational Science
Role: Editorial Consultant
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Role: Editorial Board Member

Projects
Continuation of the NUMOM2B Heart Health Study
Funded by NIH/NHLBI
QUantifIEd Coronary Artery Plaque and OuTcomes QUIET WARRIOR Ancillary Study
Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Health in Young Women
Noninvasive Testing of Coronary Microvascular Reactivity Using High-resolution Free-breathing MRI
Heart Attack Research Program (HARP)
Funded by AHA/NYU Services
Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) Coronary Vascular Dysfunction
Funded by Erika Glazer Family Foundation
Accurate Perfusion MRI for Improved Diagnosis of Microvascular Coronary Disease
Funded by NIH/NHLBI
UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)
Funded by NIH/NCATS
National PI Agreement - Microvascular Angina Study ACT14656
Funded by Sanofi US Services
Ischemia-Intensive Medical Treatment Reduces Events in Women with Nonobstructive CAD (WARRIOR)
Funded by : Department of Defense – Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program
Inflammation and Metabolic Reprogramming of Lupus Monocytes - Mechanisms of the Pathobiology of Lupu...
Funded by Department of Defense - Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program
Automated quantitative CT imaging of epicardial adipose tissue and risk of cardiac events
Funded by NIH/NHLBI
The Microvascular Aging and Eicosanoids - Women's Evaluation of Systemic Aging Tenacity (MAE-WEST) (...
Funded by National Institute on Aging
The Microvascular Aging and Eicosanoids - Women's Evaluation of Systemic Aging Tenacity (MAE-WEST) (...
Funded by NIH/NIA
Noninvasive Testing of Coronary Microvascular Reactivity Using High-resolution Freebreathing MRI
Funded by NIH/NHLBI
Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) - Mechanisms of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Leadi...
Funded by NIH/NHLBI
Effect of Intensive Medical Treatment on Quantified Coronary Artery Plaque Components with Serial Co...
Funded by NIH/ NHLBI
Longitudinal Evaluation of Ovarian Aging and Cardiovascular Risk
Funded by NIH/ NIA
Conference/Seminar/STTP/FDP/Symposium/Workshop
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May 1985
Exercise and Coronary Artery Disease: What Should We Be Recommending to Our Patients (and Ourselves)
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) ,
San Francisco, California, United States-
Dec 1986
Mental Stress and the Heart, Medical Grand Rounds
Mountain View Medical Center ,
Forest Grove, Oregon, United States-
Mar 2021
Women and Ischemic Heart Disease
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center ,
Burbank, California, United States-
Feb 2021
Topic Related to Heart Disease in Women
Mayo Clinic ,
Alabama, United StatesCertificates
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By : American Board ...
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Event : Diplomat, Ameri...
Diplomat, American Board of Internal Medicine
Membership
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Member, Planning Committee, Burns and Allen Research Institute Retreat
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year to Present
Committee Member, CSMC Corday Prize Selection Process
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 2011 to Present
Member, UCLA CTSI Educational Core Mentorship Task Force
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 2013 to Present
Chair - New Annual Meeting Strategic Development Task Force
American College of Cardiology (ACC)
From year 2005 to Presenthttps://www.acc.org/membership/person?id=D086EF3A-D7DA-455B-8770-580F1F54CA4D
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Altenate Member, UCLA MedCAP
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 2014 to 2020
Member, Opportunity to Serve on Clinical Academic Promotions Appointment Council (CLIN-APAC)
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 2011 to 2014
Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, General Clinical Research Center
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 1997 to 2010
Member, CSMC Clinical Scholars Grant Committee
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 2009 to 2010
Chair - Compensation Committee
American College of Cardiology (ACC)
From year 2007 to 2010
Member, International Committee
American College of Cardiology (ACC)
From year 2006 to 2008
Chair - Women in Cardiology Committee
American Heart Association (AHA)
From year 2005 to 2008
Member, Leadership of the Council on Clinical Cardiology Committee
American Heart Association (AHA)
From year 2005 to 2007
Board Member, Heart Families
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 1991 to 2000
Research Fellow Committee, Division of Cardiology
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 1991 to 1999
Member, Cardiac Channel Programming Committee, Division of Cardiology
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 1993 to 1999
Member, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Committee
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 1994 to 1996
Member, Medical Staff News Committee
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 1993 to 1994
Fall Symposium Committee
American Heart Association (AHA)
From year 1993 to 1994
Member, Cardiac Advisory Board
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
From year 1986 to 1988Invited Position
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Invited Panelist
ISfTeH - International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth
From year 2020 to 2020Honours & Awards
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Recognition as a Reviewer
Annals of Interal Medicine
Year: 2021
Certificate of Excellence Award
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Year: 2021
First Prize in Cardiology
British Medical Association (BMA) Medical Book Awards 2019
Year: 2019
Bernadine Healy Leadership in Women’s CV Disease Award
American College of Cardiology
Year: 2016
National Spokesperson
VHA Women’s Heart Advantage Program
Year: 2010
Selected to moderate a National “Red Dress” Awareness Panel discussion
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library with First Lady Laura Bush and former First Lady Nancy Reagan
Year: 2007
Alvin P. Shapiro Award
2006 Annual Scientific Sessions, American Psychosomatic Society, Denver, CO
Year: 2006
Awarded the Save A Heart Foundation’s 2006 Heart Saver
Annual Awards Gala, Los Angeles, CA
Year: 2006
The Red Dress Award for Leadership in Cardiovascular Research in Women
Woman’s Day Magazine New York
Year: 2005
Best Practices Awards, Special Achievement Award
presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of healthcare
Year: 2005
Women of the 21st Century Award
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Women’s Guild
Year: 2005
Award Recipient
American Heart Association, Second Annual Women’s Legacy Luncheon
Year: 2002
Fellow
American College of Cardiology (FACC)
Year: 1989
Medical Education Scholarship Program Award
American College of Cardiology/Syntex Continuing
Year: 1987
Dudley Academic-Athletic Scholarship
University of Chicago
Year: 1977
Young California Award
Governor Reagan for Heroism
Year: 1973Doctoral and Master Thesis Guided
Gender and age related differences in patient with ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction
Doctoral Examination Board Member (Ph.D. Thesis)
Institute : Radboud University, Nijmegen
Area of research: Medical
Patent
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Medical & Health Science
Systems and methods for myocardial perfusion MRI without the need for ECG gating and additional systems and methods for improved cardiac imaging
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
United States
Jan 2015
US14/590,935
US10706592B2
Published
Jul 2020
Scholar9 Profile ID
S9-012025-1008130
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Publication
(214)
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(0)
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Citations
(101543)
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(4)