Mariann Piano

Nancy and Hilliard Travis Professor of Nursing Vanderbilt University

  • Nashville TN

Expert in substance abuse and cardiac disease, particularly binge drinking by young adults.

Contact

Vanderbilt University

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Biography

Dr. Piano has a distinguished career in substance abuse research focusing on understanding the adverse effects of unhealthy alcohol drinking patterns on the cardiovascular system. Studies are underway to determine the effects of binge drinking on cardiovascular function and risk factors in young adults. Young adulthood is when binge drinking is the highest and currently, more young adults consume 6-7 drinks per binge drinking episode, black out and choose hard liquor over beer. Compared to previous generations, the pervasiveness, intensity (i.e., 6-7 drinks) and regularity (several times per week) of binge drinking may place today's youth at greater risk for more profound rates of alcohol-related harm. Another area of research includes heart failure pathophysiology, symptoms and patient self-management. In particular, her research has focused on strategies (e.g. diuretic self-adjustment) to prevent frequent hospital admissions in heart failure patients and to identify mechanisms that underlie heart failure symptoms. Her research has been supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the National Center for Research Resources. She also holds the title of Professor Emerita at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she was Collegiate Professor of Nursing.

Areas of Expertise

Unhealthy Alcohol Consumption
Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease
Alcohol and Young Adults
Alcohol and Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiac Risk Factors

Education

University of Illinois

Ph.D.

Nursing Science

University of Illinois

M.S.

Medical-Surgical Nursing

Loyola University of Chicago

B.S.

Nursing

Selected Media Appearances

More young adults becoming ‘sober curious’

WSMV  tv

2024-02-02

The trend brings a smile to Dr. Mariann Piano’s face. Piano is the senior associate dean for research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

She’s studied the adverse effects of unhealthy alcohol drinking consumption.

“Based on some very recent data, pretty much any level of alcohol drinking is associated with increases in blood pressure. Increases in blood pressure and hypertension are leading causes of stroke,” said Dr. Piano.

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I Drink Alcohol Regularly. What Can I Do to Mitigate the Risks?

The New York Times  online

2023-09-12

There’s no surefire way to offset the consequences of alcohol, said Mariann Piano, a professor and researcher at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who studies the effects of alcohol use. It’s not like you can “run around the block one more time” to negate a night of heavy drinking, she said.

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As more people skip out on alcohol, local businesses work to meet the moment

NewsChannel 5  tv

2023-02-07

If you do drink, it is important to be mindful of how much, according to Mariann Piano, the Senior Associate Dean for Research at Vanderbilt's School of Nursing.

One thing she is looking into is the effect of binge drinking on cardiovascular function.

"I know for myself that one idea we had was that sort of these habits that you develop in young adulthood might set you up for future increased vulnerability to certain diseases like cardiovascular disease," Piano said.

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