As a practicing cardiologist in Italy for over 15 years, Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher had a first-hand experience of the psychological difficulties that patients face when recovering from an acute heart attack and of the challenges they face when trying to modify the unhealthy lifestyle that put them at risk of CV disease. Over time, she became very passionate about the study of the psychobehavioral factors that contribute to the onset of CV disease and decided to dedicate her career to “bridging the gap” between CV medicine and the behavioral sciences.
Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher has developed an original and innovative program of research for which she has secured uninterrupted federal funding since 2009. A first line of research involves the study of the psychological determinants of CV disease. A second, and complementary, area of investigation seeks to identify the mechanisms whereby mind-body interventions can improve CV health behaviors by targeting the upstream factors – stress, self-regulation, cognitive function – which affect CV health.
Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher's "Mind & Heart Lab" has trained a number of undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral trainees, with 50% belonging to under-represented minorities and 80% women. In addition, she serves as a senior mentor for the NHLBI-funded T32 Training Grant in CV Behavioral Medicine (PI: Wing) and as research mentor for the Research Placement Program in the APA Clinical Psychology Internship at Brown.
Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher has been elected Fellow of the American Heart Association in 2017 and Fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine in 2024. In 2023 she has received the Kenneth E. Freedland Founder's Award from the Society of Behavioral Medicine in recognition of her contributions to the field of CV behavioral medicine. Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher is currently a standing member of the National Institutes of Health MESH study section.
Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the Templeton Foundation, the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute, and the Brown Mindfulness Center.
| Gathright EC, Hughes JW, Sun S, Storlazzi LE, DeCosta J, Balletto BL, Carey MP, Scott-Sheldon LAJ, Salmoirago-Blotcher E. "Effects of stress management interventions on heart rate variability in adults with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis." J Behav Med, vol. 47, no. 3, 2024, pp. 374-388. |
| Skinner HG, Palma-Gudiel H, Stewart JD, Love SA, Bhatti P, Shadyab AH, Wallace RB, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Manson JE, Kroenke CH, Belsky DW, Li Y, Whitsel EA, Zannas AS. "Stressful life events, social support, and epigenetic aging in the Women's Health Initiative." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, vol. 72, no. 2, 2024, pp. 349-360. |
| Zhao SX, Tindle HA, Larson JC, Woods NF, Crawford MH, Hoover V, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Shadyab AH, Stefanick ML, Perez MV. "Association Between Insomnia, Stress Events, and Other Psychosocial Factors and Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Postmenopausal Women: Insights From the Women's Health Initiative." Journal of the American Heart Association, vol. 12, no. 17, 2023, pp. e030030. |
| Bublitz MH, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Sanapo L, Ayala N, Mehta N, Bourjeily G. "Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of mindfulness training on antenatal blood pressure." Journal of Psychosomatic Research, vol. 165, 2023, pp. 111146. |
| Johnson BT, Acabchuk RL, George EA, Nardi W, Sun S, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Scharf J, Loucks EB. "Mental and Physical Health Impacts of Mindfulness Training for College Undergraduates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." Mindfulness, vol. 14, no. 9, 2023, pp. 2077-2096. |
| Keirns NG, Ouaddi S, Dunsiger S, Locatelli G, Gathright EC, Black E, Tripolone J, Breault C, Riegel B, Cohen R, Salmoirago-Blotcher E. "Mind Your Heart-II: Protocol for a behavioral randomized controlled trial of mindfulness training to promote self-care in patients with comorbid heart failure and cognitive impairment." Contemporary Clinical Trials, vol. 126, 2023, pp. 107094. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Cohen, Ronald. "Mindfulness Training and Exercise and Cognitive Function in Older Adults." JAMA, vol. 329, no. 13, 2023, pp. 1119. |
| Lee, Sharon Y., Gathright, Emily C., Wu, Wen-Chih, Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena. "Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: A Focused Review for Practicing Clinicians." Current Cardiology Reports, 2023. |
| Unger KG, Sanapo L, Bourjeily G, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Bublitz MH. "The Impact of Mindfulness Treatment on Maternal Inflammation and Fetal Neurodevelopment Among Participants with Histories of Hypertensive Disorders." Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, 2023. |
| Locatelli G, Matus A, James R, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Ausili D, Vellone E, Riegel B. "What is the role of interoception in the symptom experience of people with a chronic condition? A systematic review." Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, vol. 148, 2023, pp. 105142. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Walaska K, Trivedi D, Dunsiger S, Breault C, Levine D, Wu JR, Cohen R. "Mind Your Heart: Exploring Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effects of Phone-Delivered Mindfulness Training on Medication Adherence in Outpatients With Chronic Heart Failure." The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2022. |
| Koga, Hayami K., Trudel‐Fitzgerald, Claudia, Lee, Lewina O., James, Peter, Kroenke, Candyce, Garcia, Lorena, Shadyab, Aladdin H., Salmoirago‐Blotcher, Elena, Manson, JoAnn E., Grodstein, Francine, Kubzansky, Laura D. "Optimism, lifestyle, and longevity in a racially diverse cohort of women." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2022. |
| Korthauer LE, Goveas JS, Rapp SR, Espeland MA, Shumaker SA, Garcia KR, Rossom RC, Garcia L, Tindle HA, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Wassertheil-Smoller S, Zaslavsky O, Cochrane B, Sink KM, Masaki K, Driscoll I. "The relationship between depressive symptoms and subtypes of mild cognitive impairment in post-menopausal women: Results from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study." International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, vol. 37, no. 11, 2022. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E. "A treatment in search of a disease? Challenges in mindfulness research and practice." Explore (New York, N.Y.), 2021. |
| Rosman L, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Mahmood R, Yang H, Li Q, Mazzella AJ, Lawrence Klein J, Bumgarner J, Gehi A. "Arrhythmia Risk During the 2016 US Presidential Election: The Cost of Stressful Politics." Journal of the American Heart Association, vol. 10, no. 11, 2021, pp. e020559. |
| Wang C, Lê-Scherban F, Taylor J, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Allison M, Gefen D, Robinson L, Michael YL. "Associations of Job Strain, Stressful Life Events, and Social Strain With Coronary Heart Disease in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study." Journal of the American Heart Association, vol. 10, no. 5, 2021, pp. e017780. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Trivedi, Dyuti, Dunsiger, Shira, Harris, Kristie, Breault, Christopher, Yang Santos, Cláudia, Walaska, Kristen, Snyder, Peter, Cohen, Ronald. "Exploring Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Mindfulness Training on Cognitive Function in Older Adults at Risk of Dementia: A Feasibility, Proof-of-Concept Study." American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias®, vol. 36, 2021, pp. 153331752110390. |
| Rosman, Lindsey, Mazzella, Anthony J, Gehi, Anil, Liu, Yutong, Li, Quefeng, Salmoirago‐Blotcher, Elena, Lampert, Rachel, Burg, Matthew M. "Immediate and Long‐term effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic and lockdown on physical activity in patients with implanted cardiac devices." Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 2021. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena. "Response to the commentary the emancipation of mindfulness from its religious context." EXPLORE, 2021. |
| Gathright, Emily C., Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, DeCosta, Julie, Donahue, Marissa L., Feulner, Melissa M., Cruess, Dean G., Wing, Rena R., Carey, Michael P., Scott-Sheldon, Lori A. J. "Stress management interventions for adults with heart failure: Systematic review and meta-analysis." Health Psychology, vol. 40, no. 9, 2021, pp. 606-616. |
| Søndergaard MM, Hlatky MA, Stefanick ML, Vittinghoff E, Nah G, Allison M, Gemmill A, Van Horn L, Park K, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Sattari M, Sealy-Jefferson S, Shadyab AH, Valdiviezo C, Manson JE, Parikh NI. "Association of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes With Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Postmenopausal Women." JAMA Cardiology, 2020. |
| Li J, Hovey KM, Andrews CA, Quddus A, Allison MA, Van Horn L, Martin LW, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Song Y, Manson JE, Albert CM, Lu B, Eaton CB. "Association of Dietary Magnesium Intake with Fatal Coronary Heart Disease and Sudden Cardiac Death." Journal of Women's Health, vol. 29, no. 1, 2020, pp. 7-12. |
| Harris, Kristie M., Rosman, Lindsey, Burg, Matthew M., Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena. "Modifiable lifestyle factors in women with Takotsubo syndrome: A case-control study." Heart & Lung, 2020. |
| Scheier, Michael, Swanson, Joshua, Barlow, Meaghan, Greenhouse, Joel, Wrosch, Carsten, Tindle, Hilary A. "Optimism versus pessimism as predictors of physical health: A comprehensive reanalysis of dispositional optimism research. American Psychologist.(2020, DOI: 10.1037/amp0000666)." 2020. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Trivedi D, Dunsiger S. "Tai Chi practice and change in exercise habits in survivors of acute coronary syndromes: Is mindfulness a possible mechanism?." Explore (New York, N.Y.), 2020. |
| Dunne EM, Rosen RK, Rich C, Norris AL, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Carey MP. "Telephone-delivered behavioral health interventions for people living with HIV: patients' perspectives from a qualitative study." AIDS Care, 2020, pp. 1-4. |
| Kim ES, Tindle HA, Kubzansky LD, Liu S, Duncan MS, Manson JE, Springfield S, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Shadyab AH, Liu B, Grodstein F, De Vivo I. "The Relation of Optimism to Relative Telomere Length in Older Men and Women." Psychosomatic Medicine, vol. 82, no. 2, 2020, pp. 165-171. |
| Haring B, Liu J, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Hayden KM, Sarto G, Roussouw J, Kuller LH, Rapp SR, Wassertheil-Smoller S. "Blood pressure variability and brain morphology in elderly women without cardiovascular disease." Neurology, vol. 92, no. 12, 2019, pp. e1284-e1297. |
| Scott-Sheldon, Lori A J, Gathright, Emily C, Donahue, Marissa L, Balletto, Brittany, Feulner, Melissa M, DeCosta, Julie, Cruess, Dean G, Wing, Rena R, Carey, Michael P, Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena. "Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Adults with Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Annals of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 54, no. 1, 2019, pp. 67-73. |
| Bublitz, Margaret H., Nillni, Yael, Livingston, Zoe, Carpenter, Marshall, Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena. "Phone-Delivered Mindfulness Training for Pregnant Women at Risk for Preterm Birth." The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 25, no. 4, 2019, pp. 444-445. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Hovey KM, Andrews CA, Allison M, Brunner RL, Denburg NL, Eaton C, Garcia L, Sealy-Jefferson SM, Zaslavsky O, Kang J, López L, Post SG, Tindle H, Wassertheil-Smoller S. "Psychological traits, heart rate variability, and risk of coronary heart disease in healthy aging women - the Women's Health Initiative." Psychosomatic Medicine, vol. 81, no. 3, 2019, pp. 256-264. |
| Rosman L, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Cahill J, Sears SF. "Psychosocial Adjustment and Quality of Life in Patients With Peripartum Cardiomyopathy." The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, vol. 34, no. 1, 2019, pp. 20-28. |
| Hall PS, Nah G, Vittinghoff E, Parker DR, Manson JE, Howard BV, Sarto GE, Gass ML, Sealy-Jefferson SM, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Stefanick ML, Shadyab AH, Van Horn LV, Park K, Parikh NI. "Relation of Pregnancy Loss to Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Parous Postmenopausal Women (From the Women's Health Initiative)." The American Journal of Cardiology, 2019. |
| Conboy L, Krol J, Tomas J, Yeh GY, Wayne P, Salmoirago-Blotcher E. "Tai Chi for heart attack survivors: qualitative insights." BMJ supportive & palliative care, 2019. |
| Carey, Michael P., Dunne, Eugene M., Norris, Alyssa, Dunsiger, Shira, Rich, Carla, Rosen, Rochelle K., Chan, Philip, Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena. "Telephone-Delivered Mindfulness Training to Promote Medication Adherence and Reduce Sexual Risk Behavior Among Persons Living with HIV: An Exploratory Clinical Trial." AIDS and Behavior, 2019. |
| Dunne, Eugene M., Balletto, Brittany L., Donahue, Marissa L., Feulner, Melissa M., DeCosta, Julie, Cruess, Dean G., Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Wing, Rena R., Carey, Michael P., Scott-Sheldon, Lori A.J. "The benefits of yoga for people living with HIV/AIDS: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, vol. 34, 2019, pp. 157-164. |
| Gathright EC, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, DeCosta J, Balletto BL, Donahue ML, Feulner MM, Cruess DG, Wing RR, Carey MP, Scott-Sheldon LAJ. "The impact of transcendental meditation on depressive symptoms and blood pressure in adults with cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol. 46, 2019, pp. 172-179. |
| Abu, Hawa O., Ulbricht, Christine, Ding, Eric, Allison, Jeroan J., Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Goldberg, Robert J., Kiefe, Catarina I. "Association of religiosity and spirituality with quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review." Quality of Life Research, 2018. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Druker, Susan, Meleo-Meyer, Florence, Frisard, Christine, Crawford, Sybil, Pbert, Lori. "Beneficial effects of school-based mindfulness training on impulsivity in healthy adolescents: results from a pilot randomized controlled trial." EXPLORE, 2018. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Carey MP. "Can Mindfulness Training Improve Medication Adherence? Integrative Review of the Current Evidence and Proposed Conceptual Model." Explore (New York, N.Y.), vol. 14, no. 1, 2018, pp. 59-65. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, DeCosta, Julie, Harris, Kristie, Breault, Christopher, Dunsiger, Shira, Santos, Claudia, Snyder, Peter. "Exploring synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and mindfulness training on cognitive function in older adults: Protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial." Medicine, vol. 97, no. 21, 2018, pp. e10626. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Druker S, Frisard C, Dunsiger SI, Crawford S, Meleo-Meyer F, Bock B, Pbert L. "Integrating mindfulness training in school health education to promote healthy behaviors in adolescents: Feasibility and preliminary effects on exercise and dietary habits." Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 9, 2018, pp. 92-95. |
| Scott-Sheldon LAJ, Balletto BL, Donahue ML, Feulner MM, Cruess DG, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Wing RR, Carey MP. "Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Adults Living with HIV/AIDS: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." AIDS and Behavior, 2018. |
| Dias A, Núñez Gil IJ, Santoro F, Madias JE, Pelliccia F, Brunetti ND, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Sharkey SW, Eitel I, Akashi YJ, El-Battrawy I, Franco E, Akin I, Jaguszewski M, Dawson D, Figueredo VM, Napp LC, Christensen TE, Hebert K, Ben-Dor I, Ozaki Y, García-Garcia HM, Kajita AH, Akasaka T, Kurisu S, Lerman A, Waksman R. "Takotsubo syndrome: State-of-the-art review by an expert panel - Part 1." Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine, 2018. |
| Dias A, Núñez Gil IJ, Santoro F, Madias JE, Pelliccia F, Brunetti ND, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Sharkey SW, Eitel I, Akashi YJ, El-Battrawy I, Franco E, Akin I, Jaguszewski M, Dawson D, Figueredo VM, Christian Napp L, Christensen TE, Hebert K, Ben-Dor I, Ozaki Y, García-Garcia HM, Kajita AH, Akasaka T, Kurisu S, Lerman A, Waksman R. "Takotsubo syndrome: State-of-the-art review by an expert panel - Part 2." Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine, 2018. |
| Mongraw-Chaffin M, LaCroix AZ, Sears DD, Garcia L, Phillips LS, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Zaslavsky O, Anderson CA. "A prospective study of low fasting glucose with cardiovascular disease events and all-cause mortality: The Women's Health Initiative." Metabolism: clinical and experimental, vol. 70, 2017, pp. 116-124. |
| Rosman L, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Wuensch KL, Cahill J, Sears SF. "Contraception and reproductive counseling in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy." Contraception, 2017. |
| Rosman L, Dunsiger S, Salmoirago-Blotcher E. "Cumulative Impact of Stressful Life Events on the Development of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy." Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2017. |
| Rosman L, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Cahill J, Wuensch KL, Sears SF. "Depression and health behaviors in women with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy." Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 2017. |
| Korthauer, Laura E, Goveas, Joseph, Espeland, Mark A, Shumaker, Sally A, Garcia, Katelyn R, Tindle, Hilary, Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Sink, Kaycee M, Vaughan, Leslie, Rapp, Stephen R, Resnick, Susan M, Driscoll, Ira. "Negative Affect Is Associated With Higher Risk of Incident Cognitive Impairment in Nondepressed Postmenopausal Women." The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, vol. 73, no. 4, 2017, pp. 506-512. |
| Progovac AM, Donohue JM, Matthews KA, Chang CH, Habermann EB, Kuller LH, Saquib J, LaMonte MJ, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Zaslavsky O, Tindle HA. "Optimism predicts sustained vigorous physical activity in postmenopausal women." Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 8, 2017, pp. 286-293. |
| Tindle HA, Duncan MS, Liu S, Kuller LH, Fugate Woods N, Rapp SR, Kroenke CH, Coday M, Loucks EB, Lamonte MJ, Progovac AM, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Walitt BT, Yuo NY, Freiberg MS. "Optimism, Pessimism, Cynical Hostility, and Biomarkers of Metabolic Function in the Women's Health Initiative." Journal of diabetes, vol. 10, no. 6, 2017, pp. 512-523. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Rich, Carla, Rosen, Rochelle K., Dunsiger, Shira, Rana, Aadia, Carey, Michael P. "Phone-delivered mindfulness training to promote medication adherence and reduce sexual risk behavior among persons living with HIV: Design and methods." Contemporary Clinical Trials, vol. 53, 2017, pp. 162-170. |
| Salmoirago‐Blotcher, Elena, Wayne, Peter M., Dunsiger, Shira, Krol, Julie, Breault, Christopher, Bock, Beth C., Wu, Wen‐Chih, Yeh, Gloria Y. "Tai Chi Is a Promising Exercise Option for Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Declining Cardiac Rehabilitation." Journal of the American Heart Association, vol. 6, no. 10, 2017, pp. e006603. |
| Rosen RK, McGarrity LA, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Rich C, Rana A, Carey MP. "Telephone-Delivered Mindfulness Training for People Living with HIV: A Qualitative 360° Inquiry." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 21, no. 11, 2017, pp. 3194-3201. |
| Hayden KM, Beavers DP, Steck SE, Hebert JR, Tabung FK, Shivappa N, Casanova R, Manson JE, Padula CB, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Snetselaar LG, Zaslavsky O, Rapp SR. "The association between an inflammatory diet and global cognitive function and incident dementia in older women: The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study." Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2017. |
| Thind, Herpreet, Lantini, Ryan, Balletto, Brittany L., Donahue, Marissa L., Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Bock, Beth C., Scott-Sheldon, Lori A.J. "The effects of yoga among adults with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Preventive Medicine, vol. 105, 2017, pp. 116-126. |
| Park CL, Masters KS, Salsman JM, Wachholtz A, Clements AD, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Trevino K, Wischenka DM. "Advancing our understanding of religion and spirituality in the context of behavioral medicine." J Behav Med, 2016. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Fitchett G, Leung K, Volturo G, Boudreaux E, Crawford S, Ockene I, Curlin F. "An exploration of the role of religion/spirituality in the promotion of physicians' wellbeing in Emergency Medicine." Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 3, 2016, pp. 189-195. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Fitchett G, Leung K, Volturo G, Boudreaux E, Crawford S, Ockene I, Curlin F. "An exploration of the role of religion/spirituality in the promotion of physicians' wellbeing in Emergency Medicine." Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 3, 2016, pp. 189-95. |
| Aspry K, Wu WC, Salmoirago-Blotcher E. "Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Established Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: New Directions in the Era of Value-Based Healthcare." Curr Atheroscler Rep, vol. 18, no. 2, 2016, pp. 10. |
| Korthauer, Laura E., Goveas, Joseph S., Espeland, Mark A., Shumaker, Sally A., Garcia, Katelyn R., Ockene, Judith, Tindle, Hilary, Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Cochrane, Barbara, Sink, Kaycee M., Vaughan, A Leslie, Rapp, Stephen R., Resnick, Susan M., Driscoll, Ira. "NEGATIVE AFFECT ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED INCIDENCE OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND DEMENTIA IN NON-DEPRESSED POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN." Alzheimer's & Dementia, vol. 12, no. 7, 2016, pp. P906. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Rosman L, Wittstein IS, Dunsiger S, Swales HH, Aurigemma GP, Ockene IS. "Psychiatric history, post-discharge distress, and personality characteristics among incident female cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy: A case-control study." Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, vol. 45, no. 6, 2016, pp. 503-509. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Dunsiger, Shira, Swales, Heather H., Aurigemma, Gerard P., Ockene, Ira, Rosman, Lindsey, Wittstein, Ilan S. "Reproductive History of Women with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy." The American Journal of Cardiology, 2016. |
| Scott-Sheldon LA, Lantini R, Jennings EG, Thind H, Rosen RK, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Bock BC. "Text Messaging-Based Interventions for Smoking Cessation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." JMIR mHealth and uHealth, vol. 4, no. 2, 2016, pp. e49. |
| Ermakov S, Azarbal F, Stefanick ML, LaMonte MJ, Li W, Tharp KM, Martin LW, Nassir R, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Albert CM, Manson JE, Assimes TL, Hlatky MA, Larson JC, Perez MV. "The associations of leptin, adiponectin and resistin with incident atrial fibrillation in women." Heart (British Cardiac Society), vol. 102, no. 17, 2016, pp. 1354-62. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Druker S, Meyer F, Bock B, Crawford S, Pbert L. "Design and methods for "Commit to Get Fit" - A pilot study of a school-based mindfulness intervention to promote healthy diet and physical activity among adolescents." Contemporary Clinical Trials, vol. 41, 2015, pp. 248-258. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Wayne, Peter, Bock, Beth C., Dunsiger, Shira, Wu, Wen-Chih, Stabile, Loren, Yeh, Gloria. "Design and methods of the Gentle Cardiac Rehabilitation Study - A behavioral study of tai chi exercise for patients not attending cardiac rehabilitation." Contemporary Clinical Trials, vol. 43, 2015, pp. 243-51. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, E., Hovey, K. M., Andrews, C. A., Robinson, J. G., Johnson, K. C., Wassertheil-Smoller, S., Crawford, S., Qi, L., Martin, L. W., Ockene, J., Manson, J. E. "Statin use and risk of haemorrhagic stroke in a community-based cohort of postmenopausal women: an observational study from the Women's Health Initiative." BMJ Open, vol. 5, no. 2, 2015, pp. e007075-e007075. |
| Azarbal F, Stefanick ML, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Manson JE, Albert CM, LaMonte MJ, Larson JC, Li W, Martin LW, Nassir R, Garcia L, Assimes TL, Tharp KM, Hlatky MA, Perez MV. "Obesity, physical activity, and their interaction in incident atrial fibrillation in postmenopausal women." Journal of the American Heart Association, vol. 3, no. 4, 2014. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Reddy, Sandhya, Swales, Heather, Wittstein, Ilan, Ockene, Ira, Aurigemma, Gerard, Bouchard, Joseph, Goldberg, Robert J. "Post-discharge prognosis of stress cardiomyopathy in women: a retrospective cohort study." IJC Metabolic & Endocrine, vol. 4, 2014, pp. 23-27. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Fitchett G, Hovey KM, Schnall E, Thomson C, Andrews CA, Crawford S, O'Sullivan MJ, Post S, Chlebowski RT, Ockene J. "Frequency of private spiritual activity and cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women: the Women's Health Initiative." Annals of Epidemiology, vol. 23, no. 5, 2013, pp. 239-45. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, E., Hunsinger, M., Morgan, L., Fischer, D., Carmody, J. "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Change in Health-Related Behaviors." Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine, vol. 18, no. 4, 2013, pp. 243-247. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Crawford SL, Carmody J, Rosenthal L, Yeh G, Stanley M, Rose K, Browning C, Ockene IS. "Phone-delivered mindfulness training for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial." Annals of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 46, no. 2, 2013, pp. 243-50. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Carmody J, Yeh G, Crawford S, Rosenthal L, Ockene I. "Design and methods for a pilot study of a phone-delivered, mindfulness-based intervention in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators." Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, vol. 2012, 2012, pp. 972106. |
| Schnall E, Kalkstein S, Fitchett G, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Ockene J, Tindle HA, Thomas A, Hunt JR, Wassertheil-Smoller S. "Psychological and social characteristics associated with religiosity in Women's Health Initiative participants." Journal of Religion and Health, vol. 51, no. 1, 2012, pp. 20-31. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Crawford S, Tran C, Goldberg R, Rosenthal L, Ockene I. "Spiritual well-being may buffer psychological distress in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)." Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine, vol. 17, no. 3, 2012, pp. 148-154. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Crawford, Sybil, Ockene, Ira. "The Reply." The American Journal of Medicine, vol. 125, no. 2, 2012, pp. e7-e8. |
| Bertone-Johnson ER, Powers SI, Spangler L, Larson J, Michael YL, Millen AE, Bueche MN, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Wassertheil-Smoller S, Brunner RL, Ockene I, Ockene JK, Liu S, Manson JE. "Vitamin D supplementation and depression in the women's health initiative calcium and vitamin D trial." American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 176, no. 1, 2012, pp. 1-13. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Crawford S, Carmody J, Rosenthal L, Ockene I. "Characteristics of Dispositional Mindfulness in Patients with Severe Cardiac Disease." Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine, vol. 16, no. 3, 2011, pp. 218-225. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Crawford S, Jackson E, Ockene J, Ockene I. "Constipation and risk of cardiovascular disease among postmenopausal women." The American Journal of Medicine, vol. 124, no. 8, 2011, pp. 714-23. |
| Carmody JF, Crawford S, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Leung K, Churchill L, Olendzki N. "Mindfulness training for coping with hot flashes: results of a randomized trial." Menopause (New York, N.Y.), vol. 18, no. 6, 2011, pp. 611-20. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Fitchett G, Ockene JK, Schnall E, Crawford S, Granek I, Manson J, Ockene I, O'Sullivan MJ, Powell L, Rapp S. "Religion and healthy lifestyle behaviors among postmenopausal women: the women's health initiative." J Behav Med, vol. 34, no. 5, 2011, pp. 360-71. |
| Bertone-Johnson ER, Powers SI, Spangler L, Brunner RL, Michael YL, Larson JC, Millen AE, Bueche MN, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Liu S, Wassertheil-Smoller S, Ockene JK, Ockene I, Manson JE. "Vitamin D intake from foods and supplements and depressive symptoms in a diverse population of older women." The American journal of clinical nutrition, vol. 94, no. 4, 2011, pp. 1104-1112. |
| Ockene I, Salmoirago-Blotcher E. "Varenicline for smoking cessation in patients with coronary heart disease." Circulation, vol. 121, no. 2, 2010, pp. 188-90. |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Ockene IS. "Methodological limitations of psychosocial interventions in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) A systematic review." BMC cardiovascular disorders, vol. 9, 2009, pp. 56. |
| Lotan C, Hasin Y, Salmoirago E, Rozenman Y, Mosseri M, Admon D, Nassar H, Gotsman MS. "The Radial Artery: An Applicable Approach to Complex Coronary Angioplasty." The Journal of invasive cardiology, vol. 9, no. 8, 1997, pp. 518-522. |
| "Six-month effects of early treatment with lisinopril and transdermal glyceryl trinitrate singly and together withdrawn six weeks after acute myocardial infarction: the GISSI-3 trial. Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell'Infarto Miocardico." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 27, no. 2, 1996, pp. 337-44. |
| "Epidemiology of avoidable delay in the care of patients with acute myocardial infarction in Italy. A GISSI-generated study. GISSI--Avoidable Delay Study Group." Arch Intern Med, vol. 155, no. 14, 1995, pp. 1481-8. |
| "GISSI-3: effects of lisinopril and transdermal glyceryl trinitrate singly and together on 6-week mortality and ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction. Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell'infarto Miocardico." The Lancet, vol. 343, no. 8906, 1994, pp. 1115-22. |
| Alli C, Avanzini F, DiTullio M, Mariotti G, Salmoirago E, Taioli E, Radice M. "Left ventricular diastolic function in normotensive adolescents with different genetic risk of hypertension." Clinical Cardiology, vol. 13, no. 2, 1990, pp. 115-8. |
| Radice M, Alli C, Di Tullio M, Guiducci D, Mariotti G, Salmoirago E, Taioli E. "[Relations between pressure overload and early signs of cardiac involvement in arterial hypertension]." Cardiologia (Rome, Italy), vol. 34, no. 4, 1989, pp. 341-5. |
| Radice M, Albertini A, Alli C, Canciani C, Di Tullio M, Manzini M, Mariotti G, Salmoirago E, Taioli E, Zatta G. "Assessment of ventricular function in arterial hypertension with radionuclide ventriculography." The American Journal of Medicine, vol. 84, no. 3A, 1988, pp. 133-5. |
| Radice M, Alli C, Avanzini F, Canciani C, Castelli MR, Di Tullio M, Giudici V, Manzini M, Mariotti G, Salmoirago E. "[Usefulness of exertion tests in the evaluation of the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy]." Giornale italiano di cardiologia, vol. 17, no. 5, 1987, pp. 414-8. |
| Mariotti G, Alli C, Avanzini F, Canciani C, Di Tullio M, Manzini M, Salmoirago E, Taioli E, Zussino A, Radice M. "Arm position as a source of error in blood pressure measurement." Clinical Cardiology, vol. 10, no. 10, 1987, pp. 591-3. |
Dr. Salmoirago-Blotcher's research program focuses on the role of psychosocial factors in the development of CV disease and on novel strategies targeting psycho-behavioral factors to promote CV health. She conducts cutting edge research on the role of mind-body interventions in the promotion of CV health behaviors as well as on the role of key mediators - self-regulation and cognitive factors - in promoting such behavioral changes.
Completed grants:
1) F32AT005048. A mindfulness-based intervention for treatment of anxiety in ICD patients. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Role: Principal Investigator.
2) AHA13CRP1334001. Prognosis and predisposing factors of stress cardiomyopathy. Funding agency: American Heart Association. Role: Principal Investigator.
3) FP048381. Role of religion/spirituality and other psychosocial factors in burnout prevention among ER physicians. University of Chicago & Templeton Foundation. Role: Principal Investigator.
4) R21HL119665. Mindfulness training to promote healthy diet and physical activity in teens. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Role: Multiple Principal Investigator, with Lori Pbert, PhD.
5) R34AT007569. Development of a Tai Chi intervention to overcome barriers to cardiac rehabilitation. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Role: Principal Investigator.
6) Exploring synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and mindfulness training on cognitive function in older adults: A pilot, proof of concept study. Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute & Brown University Mindfulness Center, 2015-2018. Role: Principal Investigator.
7) R34AT008930. Mindfulness training to improve ART adherence and reduce risk behavior among persons living with HIV. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2015-2018. Role: Multiple Principal Investigator (MPIs: Carey, Salmoirago-Blotcher.
8) R01AT008815. Psychosocial, immunological, and biobehavioral benefits of stress management interventions for chronic diseases: comprehensive systematic review and meta-analyses (MPIs: Carey/Scott-Sheldon, MPIs). National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2016–2021. Role: Co-Investigator.
9) R21HL140492. Exploring the Role of Mindfulness Training In the Promotion of Medication Adherence In Heart Failure Outpatients. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 2018-2021
Role: Principal Investigator.
10) 3R01HL149672- 03S1. Stress and resilience in women with Takotsubo syndrome: Diversity Administrative Supplement. Trainee: Sara Ouaddi. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 08/25/2022 – 02/28/2023. Role: Principal Investigator and Mentor.
Currently active grants:
1) R01HL149672-01. Heterogeneity and predictors of stress reactivity in takotsubo syndrome. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 2020-2025. Role: Principal Investigator.
2) R01HL57288-01. Mechanisms of mindfulness training to prevent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (PI: Bublitz). National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 2021–2026. Role: Co-Investigator.
3) R01AG076438-01. Targeting cognitive function and interoceptive awareness to improve self-management in patients with co-morbid heart failure and cognitive impairment. National Institute on Aging, 5/5/2022 – 4/30/2027. Role: Principal Investigator.
4) R01AT012072-01. Tai Chi Exercise and wearable feedback technology to promote physical activity in ACS Survivors. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 09/02/22-08/31/25.
Role: Multiple Principal Investigator (MPIs: Salmoirago-Blotcher, Yeh).
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | PhD | University of Massachusetts |
| 1985 | MD | University of Milano |
| F32 Post-doctoral fellow | University of Massachusetts Medical School, behavioral medicine | 2009-2012 | Worcester, MA, United States |
| Fellow | Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel, interventional cardiology | 1995-1998 | |
| Fellow | University of Milan Medical School, Cardiology | 1985-1989 |
2024 - Elected Fellow, Society of Behavioral Medicine
2023 - Founders' Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine Cardiovascular Special Interest Group
2017 - Elected Fellow, American Heart Association
2014 - Early Career Award, Spirituality and Health - Society for Behavioral Medicine
2013 - Faculty Scholar Award, Program in Medicine and Religion, University of Chicago
2012 - Fellow, Advanced Training Institute in Health Behavior Theory course Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health
2010 - Fellow, 36th Ten-Day Seminar on the Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (American Heart Association)
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Abbott, J | Professor of Medicine |
| Aspry, Karen | Associate Professor of Medicine, Clinician Educator |
| Bourjeily, Ghada | Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Professor of Medicine |
| Bublitz, Margaret | Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Associate Professor of Medicine |
| Carey, Michael | Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Professor Emeritus of Behavioral and Social Sciences |
| Dunsiger, Shira | Associate Professor of Biostatistics (Research), Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (Research), Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences (Research) |
| Gathright, Emily | Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior |
| Levine, Daniel | Clinical Professor of Medicine |
| Roth, Harold | Professor of Religious Studies and East Asian Studies |
| Song, Christopher | Assistant Professor of Medicine, Clinician Educator |
| Wu, Wen-Chih | Professor of Medicine, Professor of Epidemiology |
Society of Behavioral Medicine (Member)
American Heart Association (Fellow)
Milan Medical Association, Italy (Member)| Qualified Mindfulness Instructor | Center for Mindfulness University of Massachusetts Medical School | 2016- | #n/a |
| Senior Research Scientist. Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, 2022- |
| Permanent Member, Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Emotion, Stress and Health (MESH) Study Section . NIH, 2021- |
| Associate Professor of Medicine. Brown Medical School, 2019- |
| Senior Research Scientist. Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The MIriam Hospital, 2019-2022 |
| Primary faculty. Brown University Center for MIndfulness , 2018- |
| Assistant Professor of Medicine. Brown School of Medicine, 2014-2019 |
| Research Scientist. The Miriam Hospital, 2014-2019 |
| Assistant Professor of Medicine. University of Massachusetts Medical School, 2012-2014 |
| Cardiologist. Humanitas Institute, Rozzano, Italy, 2001-2005 |
| Cardiologist. San Paolo University Hospital, Milan, Italy, 1990-1995 |
| Cardiologist. San Pietro Hospital, Italy, 1989-1990 |
