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Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer in Australia. It describes diseases of the heart and blood vessels including heart attack and stroke. The risk of developing these diseases is affected by our diet and lifestyle and also by our genetic makeup that we inherit. In this project we are aiming to identify the specific heritable genetic differences between individuals that put us at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. We are studying large families from the Busselton Health Study.
Obesity, Pre-diabetes And Future Risk Of Diabetes: Maximising The Evidence, Minimising The Cost
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,136.00
Summary
The overarching aim of this proposal is to reliably determine how best to identify people at high risk of developing future diabetes. We will do this by using information on biological and behavioural risk factors that was collected on nearly 200,000 people many years ago and who were subsequently followed up to see who developed diabetes. This information will be used to create a risk prediction tool for spotting individuals most at risk of developing diabetes at some point in the future.
Developmental Origins Of Adult Cardiovascular Disease: Vascular Health In The Raine Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,087,427.00
Summary
The Raine study is a unique long term experiment that has collected extensive pre-birth and childhood data in ~3000 young Australians, who are now 27 years old. We plan to measure the artery health of 1200 of these volunteers and to determine what factors, both before and after birth, influence the presence of early atherosclerosis in humans. This study will guide strategies aimed at early prevention of heart attacks and stroke in humans, by defining the major risk factors.
Genetic And Early Life Predictors Of Ectopic Fat And Their Association With Cardiometabolic Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,706,136.00
Summary
Obesity in childhood predicts adult cardiovascular disease. Body mass index as a measure of obesity does not fully describe the biology of excess adiposity. However, differences in the distribution of body fat, particularly fat around organs, may explain some of the excess risk. We will examine effects of genetic, pregnancy and childhood factors on different body fats and cardiovascular risk in Raine Study participants at 26 years. These young adults have been studied from pregnancy to adulthood
FIELD LIFE: Lifestyle Interactions In Fenofibrate And The Epigenome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,071,754.00
Summary
Genetic and environmental factors influence the risks of developing the blood vessel (vascular), eye and kidney complications of diabetes, but how extensively these factors interact is less well understood. We will examine blood levels of a new class of regulatory molecules (called microRNAs), and of DNA damage and identify how they are linked to vascular risk factors, and heart, foot, eye and kidney damage in 2000 well-characterised Australians with type 2 diabetes from the FIELD Study.
Quadruple UltrA-low-dose TReamenT For HypErTension - QUARTET
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,242,865.00
Summary
High blood pressure is common and a major cause of heart disease and stroke. While many people with hypertension are on some treatment, in over half blood pressure targets are not reached and their high blood pressure is hence uncontrolled. In this research we investigate whether an approach that combines 4 types of blood pressure lowering medications at quarter doses into one pill, may be a more effective way of controlling blood pressure and doing this with few side effects.
Addressing Residual CV Risk In Diabetes: Focus On Lp(a) Metabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,864.00
Summary
High postmeal lipid levels and fatty liver occurs commonly in Type 2 Diabetes and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition to the standard risk factors of triglycerides and cholesterol, other factors, including a small protein called Lp(a) increase cardiovascular disease risk. Few therapies reduce Lp(a) and this study will examine the effect of niacin on reducing the concentration of this protein. A positive result may expand treatment choices for diabetics in red ....High postmeal lipid levels and fatty liver occurs commonly in Type 2 Diabetes and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition to the standard risk factors of triglycerides and cholesterol, other factors, including a small protein called Lp(a) increase cardiovascular disease risk. Few therapies reduce Lp(a) and this study will examine the effect of niacin on reducing the concentration of this protein. A positive result may expand treatment choices for diabetics in reducing the risk of heart disease.Read moreRead less
Improving Cardiovascular Health And Quality Of Life In People With Severe Mental Illness: A Randomised Trial Of A ‘partners In Health’ Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$960,320.00
Summary
People with severe mental illness die 13-30 years earlier than other people, mostly from physical illnesses especially cardiovascular disease. Physical health care services are poor for these patients and need urgent improvement. Our team has developed a process to deliver good physical health care using the Flinders Program and recovery framework. This project evaluates the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the process, and shows how health services can deliver physical health care.
Chronic Diseases In Aboriginal Australians: A Cohort Study With 20 Years Of Follow-up In A Remote Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,842.00
Summary
Our aims are to estimate lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and renal failure, and to assess the long term effects of early life risk factors on those conditions in Aboriginal Australians. Long term follow-up is crucial to investigate the natural history of chronic disease and their early life risk factors. A cohort in a remote Aboriginal community has been established since 1992. To achieve the aims of this project, we propose to extend the follow-up of this cohort to 20 years.
Lipoprotein(a) Metabolism In Subjects At High Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$690,735.00
Summary
Heart disease is a major health burden. Despite best evidence-based treatments, residual risk remains high. Lp(a), a small protein in the blood, is a powerful causal risk factor for premature heart disease, but little is known about its physiology or metabolism. This study will provide vital knowledge into Lp(a) metabolism and the mechanisms by which two unique therapies lower Lp(a) levels. These insights may expand treatment choices for people at risk of heart disease.