The Norwegian Health Association (Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen) distributes the Heart Research Award each year as a recognition and reward to a researcher who has shown significant results in cardiovascular research.
This year's award went to Sigrun Halvorsen, who is head of the Department of Cardiology at Oslo University Hospital and professor at the University of Oslo.
Halvorsen received the award for her many years of contribution to better treatment and new guidelines within the cardiovascular field, both in Norway and internationally, her strong expertise in research communication and ability to translate her research results into clinical patient treatment.

In connection with the heart congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2023 in Amsterdam August 25-28, new and updated guidelines were presented on several areas. Completely new this year are the ESC's guidelines for acute coronary syndromes.
- Here, for the first time, we have combined guidelines for acute myocardial infarction without ST-elevation in the ECG (NSTEMI), acute myocardial infarction with ST-elevation (STEMI) and unstable angina, says Sigrun Halvorsen, professor at the University of Oslo and leader of the Ischemic Heart Disease research group at Oslo-CCHR in an interview with "Dagens Medisin". Halvorsen, who has been involved in the process as document review coordinator, says that the idea behind the merger is that the three states have a lot in common, both in terms of pathophysiology, how to make the diagnosis and how to treat them

Sigrun Halvorsen is among the most productive researchers in Norway, measured by publication points. In 2022, she was the woman who published the most. There were 24 people on the list before her, all men. Reasons for why only 11 of the 100 researchers on top of the list are women are discussed in a feature article in the magazine Khrono. Here, top researcher Sigrun Halvorsen, who has focused her research on acute heart attacks and atrial fibrillation, gives her opinions.
Halvorsen is head of the Department of Cardiology Ullevål, which has 200 employees and a budget of NOK 250 million. Now she will lead a large study where they will screen 20,000 patients over the age of 65 for atrial fibrillation. They have received NOK 20 million for the study. Her main job is clinical and administrative, and she has not really set aside any time for research.

The Heart Research Award for 2023 was given to Dan Atar, head of the Ischemic heart disease group at the Division of Medicine. The prize was distributed by by H.M. King Harald.
The National Association for Public Health, who distributes the award, highlights Atar's work with new international guidelines for the treatment of heart disorders, in addition to his participation in a number of professional forums both nationally and internationally.
- Dan Atar is one of the most influential researchers in the world. With this award, we want to thank, but also inspire continued efforts to combat heart disease and stroke, says Secretary General, Mina Gerhardsen.