Amit Shah

Amit Shah, MD, MSCR is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology with a secondary appointment in Medicine (Cardiology). He is the director of cardiac rehabilitation at the Atlanta VA Healthcare system.

His research program integrates digital health technologies, epidemiology, and clinical medicine to better understand how stress and autonomic function influence cardiovascular disease. He leads several NIH- and AHA-funded studies on digital biomarkers—such as heart rate variability, repolarization dynamics, and wearable sensor data—to improve early detection and prevention of heart disease.

Dr. Shah is also a practicing cardiologist, with a focus on preventive cardiology and quality improvement in cardiac rehabilitation. He is committed to translating research discoveries into practical strategies that advance cardiovascular care and reduce health disparities. In addition to his research and clinical practice, he mentors students, fellows, and junior faculty across disciplines ranging from epidemiology to biomedical engineering, fostering the next generation of clinician-scientists.

Link to Google Scholar profile with up-to-date publication list. 

Link to Pubmed publications list.

Description of Dr. Shah's current active grant-funded studies:

Association of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Cardiac Electrical Instability: A Twin Study (NIH/NHLBI R01 HL155711) - This NIH-funded twin study investigates how posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) contributes to cardiac electrical instability and sudden cardiac death risk. Using advanced ECG markers in Vietnam-era twins, we examine the roles of genetics, stress, sleep, and behavior in linking PTSD to heart rhythm disturbances.

Investigation of Sex and Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Risk in Rural Communities (NIH/NHLBI R01 HL163998) - this study examines why rural women in the U.S. are experiencing rising rates of premature heart disease, focusing on how social adversity and psychological stress interact with biological pathways such as inflammation, autonomic function, and reproductive aging. Using wearable sensors, smartphone-based assessments, and biomarker data from the RURAL cohort, I aim to uncover novel mechanisms and interventions to reduce sex- and gender-related cardiovascular disparities.

Advancing Cardiovascular Disease Prevention with Neurocardiac Digital Biomarkers (AHA 25EIA1429312) - This project explores the use of cutting-edge digital biomarkers—derived from neurocardiac signals recorded via wearable and sensor technologies—to enhance early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease. By integrating real-time physiological data with machine learning tools, the study aims to identify subtle neural–cardiac patterns predictive of emerging cardiovascular risk, potentially opening new pathways for personalized and preemptive interventions.

Enhancement of Home Based Cardiac Rehabilitation with Personalized Virtual Technologies and Caregiver Services (QI Award from VA Office of Connected Care) - This project enhances home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) for veterans by integrating virtual health technologies with in-home caregiver support to improve access, engagement, and outcomes—especially for older, rural, and high-risk patients. By combining telehealth tools, wearables, and caregiver assistance, the study aims to increase HBCR participation, patient satisfaction, and cardiovascular risk reduction among veterans.