Professor John O'Sullivan

Professor John O’Sullivan is the inaugural Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at The University of Sydney, and a Cardiologist at Central Sydney Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH), and Strathfield Private Hospital.

Professor O’Sullivan completed Medicine in Ireland followed by Advanced clinical and scientific training in Cardiology in the USA at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He received accreditation to practice as a cardiologist in the USA, Europe, and Australia.

Professor O’Sullivan runs the state’s only Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) clinic at RPAH. Utilising next generation techniques at Central Sydney Cardiology and Strathfield Private Hospital, he utilises haemodynamic stress testing, exercise right heart catheterisation, cardiac MRI, metabolic characterisation, and advanced diastolic phenotyping to improve risk stratification and management of HFpEF. He is also a public advocate for HFpEF patients, working with policymakers and patient advocacy groups to improve clinical management pathways.

Professor O’Sullivan is experienced in primary prevention of both heart failure and coronary artery disease. He was a member of the Novel Risk Assessment Expert Subgroup that delivered the 2023 Australian CVD risk Guidelines and Risk Calculator for 12 million Australians over 40, where he assessed utility of novel biomarkers. He uses sophisticated cardiometabolic phenotyping to uncover hidden risk for future heart attack and stroke, and to optimize health trajectory over the lifespan.

Professor O’Sullivan leads a bench-to-bedside program in heart failure at The University of Sydney, Central Sydney Cardiology, Strathfield Private Hospital, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. This program incorporates clinical trials, cardiac biopsy, live beating human heart tissue slice models, primary human cardiomyocytes, large human biobanks, databanks, and preclinical models. His program harnesses sophisticated metabolic phenotyping in the Charles Perkins Centre, paired with the Sydney Heart Bank, and key partnerships with Alfred Hospital, Melbourne and with the Baird Institute, NSW.

Professor O’Sullivan has significant translational experience, holding international patents. He has translated his scientific discoveries to Medicare Item Numbers, diagnostic assays, and is leading a premarket notification with the US FDA. His scientific achievements have received awards from the American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, American College of Cardiology, and Harvard Medical School. His expertise is sought by federal funding bodies in North America, Europe, and Australasia. His work has been translated into policy documents in over 32 countries

 

Assessment and management of heart failure and other heart conditions
Use of cardiac imaging and exercise-based testing to help understand symptoms
Identification and management of cardiovascular risk factors
Care guided by current clinical evidence and tailored to individual needs
Support for long-term heart health and healthy ageing