Fondation Coeur & Recherche

Mission & Vision

Despite scientific progress and common perceptions, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Since its creation in 2010, Fondation Cœur & Recherche has partnered with scientists and medical professionals to advance research and improve prevention efforts on cardiovascular disease. The foundation is committed to tackling the social and environmental factors linked to cardiovascular diseases and to raising public awareness of these critical health issues.

Actively engaged in improving public health, Fondation Cœur & Recherche pursues several key missions:

• Facilitating cardiovascular research, to drive scientific progress and enhance the quality of care for patients;
• Strengthening the structure of cardiovascular research in France, to boost its international visibility and competitiveness;
• Disseminating research findings and data to inform and educate the general public about cardiovascular diseases;
• Developing and promoting innovative, lifelong care solutions for patients affected by these conditions.

Actions Led

Fondation Cœur & Recherche supports a range of bold and collaborative initiatives aimed at accelerating progress in cardiovascular health. These include:

• Funding cutting-edge research programs;
• Strengthening collaboration between research teams, including multicentre studies and clinical research networks;
• Valuing and disseminating scientific knowledge to ensure broad impact;
• Conceiving, developing, and financing innovative R&D projects;
• Building bridges between healthcare professionals and industry partners to foster innovation;
• Promoting cooperation among key stakeholders in cardiovascular research;
• Establishing collaborations with leading external organizations to expand expertise and reach.

Each year, the foundation selects a few strategic focus areas to guide its funding efforts. In 2024, the chosen themes were: Sudden Death, Heart Failure, Women’s Heart Health, Heart & Obesity, and Heart & Climate.

Projects That U.S. Donors Can Support

By donating to Fondation Cœur & Recherche, you are supporting the MICO: Heart & COVID-19 research initiative, which investigates the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health.

The formation of clots in the arteries or veins of patients with COVID-19 is very common and is one of the main causes of death. Several factors contribute to the distress of cells in the lungs, bloodstream, or vessel walls. These distressed cells release fragments of membrane into the bloodstream, called microparticles. Microparticles are involved in many cardiovascular diseases.

Initial results have shown that high levels of microparticles are found in cases of COVID-19, particularly in patients with severe lung damage or pulmonary embolism. The goal of the MICO study is to understand the mechanisms by which COVID-19 infection can promote thrombosis (blood clot formation). The results of this study will help understand the thrombotic mechanisms associated with COVID-19 and allow for the development of a personalized therapeutic approach.