Biosketch
Prof. Hanssen is a clinical researcher and physician with a background in preventive cardiology and exercise medicine. He applies exercise as a true polypill to reduce overall cardiovascular risk in all age groups. His research expertise lies in the field of vascular and systems physiology with a focus on retinal vessel diameters and function as microvascular biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and disease. Prof. Hanssen`s research in the context of vascular ageing and longevity aims (1) to optimize cardiometabolic risk stratification in young and older populations, (2) to facilitate treatment monitoring and guidance of drug and exercise therapy. His research goal is to help establish a strong evidence base for the clinical implementation of exercise as a treatment strategy, and retinal vessel imaging as a screening tool in the field of primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention. He has produced several landmark reviews in his field of research and has recently co-authored the 2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension.
Curriculum Vitae
Positions
| Since 08/2020 | Associated Professor, Head of Preventive Sports Medicine and Systems Physiology, Department Sport, Exercise and Health (DSBG), University of Basel |
| 2015–2020 | Tenure Track Professor and Head of Preventive Sports Medicine, Department Sport, Exercise and Health (DSBG), University of Basel |
| 2009–2015 | Deputy Director, Consultant and Research Fellow, Division of Sports and Exercise Medicine, DSBG |
| 2007–2009 | Senior Registrar and Research Assistant, Department of Prevention and Sport Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany |
| 2002–2007 | Registrar, II. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München & German Heart Center, Munich, Germany |
| 2000–2002 | House Officer, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Munich, Germany |
Clinical and scientific qualifications
| 2018 | Hypertension Specialist; German Hypertension League (DHL) |
| 2013 | Habilitation (DSBG, University of Basel): “Endurance exercise and the cardiovasculature: the retinal microcirculation as a vascular biomarker” |
| 2012 | Sports Medicine Certification, German Society of Sports Medicine (DGSP) |
| 2010 | Swiss Medical Association (FMH) accreditation for General Internal Medicine |
| 2009 | Cardiovascular and Preventive Medicine Certification, German Society for Prevention & Rehabilitation of Cardiovascular Disease |
| 2008 | Internal Medicine Certification (FMH) |
| 2000 | Medical Doctorate (University of Freiburg, Germany/ Oxford, UK): “Aspects of L-arginine transport and availability in disease states: a comparative study |
Selected research projects & interests
- Exercise Effects on chronic eye disease (HIT GLAUCOMA): SNSF WEAVE Funding (PI: 2023-2027)
- Exercise and vascular health in children (EXAMIN YOUTH Study): SNSF Funding (PI: 2018-2021)
- Exercise and vascular ageing in an older population (EXAMIN AGE Study): SNSF Funding (PI: 2015-2018)
- Exercise and vascular health in chronic cardiometabolic and inflammatory disease
- Exercise in the prevention and treatment of hypertension
- New Frontiers in Retinal Vessel Imaging