Research in the laboratory of Bruce D. Johnson, Ph.D., centers on interactions between the heart and the lungs under various conditions, such as hypoxia, high altitude and exercise, and in various populations, including aging populations and those with heart failure and lung disease.

Specifically, Dr. Johnson’s research team is interested in how cardiovascular function influences breathing and how breathing may in turn influence cardiovascular function. These interactions include neurohumoral, mechanical, hemodynamic and genetic interactions.

Focus areas

• Ventilatory limitations in coronary disease. Dr. Johnson currently serves as the program director and principal investigator of a study of pulmonary limitations in chronic heart failure, funded by the National Institutes of Health.
• Heart and lung interactions during exercise. In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Dr. Johnson is the program director of an investigation of activity, energy balance and exercise.
• Technology innovation for patients with coronary disease. An additional area of focus is on creating new technologies to improve patient health. This includes developing and testing wearable technology such as “smart socks” to track patients’ health statuses during chronic heart failure, and collaboration with companies making wearable monitoring technology, such as Jawbone.

Significance to patient care

The goal of Dr. Johnson’s research is to improve treatment for patients with pulmonary conditions, heart disease or both by contributing to a better understanding of how these systems interact with and influence each other. He also works toward prevention of cardiopulmonary diseases through development of more effective exercise regimens and diagnostic technologies.

PROFESSIONAL DETAILS
Primary Appointment

1. Consultant, Division of Preventive Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

Joint Appointment

1. Consultant, Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine
2. Consultant, Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering

Academic Rank

1. Professor of Medicine
2. Professor of Physiology

EDUCATION

1. Internship – Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Div. Cardiovascular Disease; Cardiovascular Health ClinicMayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
2. Fellow – Research fellow; Div. of Anesthesia Research; Respiratory Muscle LaboratoryMayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
3. PhD – Respiratory Physiology and Biodynamics. Research Focus: Ventilatory control during exercise, Pulmonary system limitations during exercise.University of Wisconsin, Madison
4. Fellow – Pre-doctoral fellow; Dept. of Preventive MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison
5. Internship – Phase 1-3 cardiac rehabilitation program; Dir. Larry Hamm, PhDNorth Memorial Medical Center
6. MS – Exercise/Cardiopulmonary Physiology. Thesis: The Relationship of Plasma Lactate Levels to Changes in Ventilation and Training Intensities.St. Cloud State University
7. BA – BiologyPacific Lutheran University

CLINICAL STUDIES

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PUBLICATIONS

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RESEARCH IMPACT

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RELATED LINKS

AREAS OF RESEARCH

• Department of Defense Medical Research Office
• Physiology and Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research Center
• Energy Balance Core
• Human Integrative and Environmental Physiology – Bruce D. Johnson
• Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging
• Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS)