Several members are active in stroke prevention. Since a number of strokes are caused by emboli (blood clotting) from the heart (most likely caused by damaged heart or certain arrhythmias) and vessels (atherosclerotic lesions) there is active collaboration by the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center members, there investigators have been active in the National Institutes of Health funded research program, Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (SPAF).

The risks for cerebral vascular and peripheral vascular diseases are the same as the risks for coronary artery disease. Several Sarver Heart Center members are interested in traditional and newer risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.