All authors live in Rochester, Minnesota

Amir Lerman, M.D., was a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic for nearly 40 years before his passing in early 2026. As director of the Cardiovascular Research Center and medical director of the Chest Pain and Coronary Physiology Clinic, he and his teams developed numerous diagnostic tools, imaging techniques and treatments used around the world. Dr. Lerman graduated from the Technion School of Medicine in Haifa, Israel, and completed his training in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Invasive Cardiology at Mayo Clinic. His interests included early detection, prevention, and treatment of coronary artery disease; cardiovascular physiology and imaging; regenerative medicine; and innovative technologies. He leaves a legacy as a mentor, an innovator, and one of the world's most influential investigators in heart health. His research, enthusiasm and passion made this book possible.

Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., M.S., is a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic and was the founding Chair of the Division of Preventive Cardiology. He is also Director of the Cardiometabolic Clinic, Co-Director of Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology and Editor-in-Chief of Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health. Dr. Lopez-Jimenez's interests are in preventive cardiology and risk reduction, and the link between obesity and cardiovascular disease. He lives in Rochester, Minnesota.

Kyla Lara-Breitinger M.D., is a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic practicing in the Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Division of Echocardiography. Her clinical focus includes primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention, management of obesity-related cardiovascular disease, nutrition interventions to improve cardiovascular disease risk factors, and basic and advanced echocardiography. She lives in Rochester, Minnesota.