Depression And Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease: A Prospective Study Of Mediating Haemostatic Risk Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,625.00
Summary
Growing evidence suggests that depression, anger and anxiety play a role in causing coronary heart disease (CHD) and complicating the outcome in existing CHD. This may occur by effects of these emotions on promoting blood clotting and the stickiness of platelets - the blood cells responsible for blood clotting. This pilot study will follow a group of people with depression but without CHD and a control group over 8 months to compare how the blood clotting profile changes as depression resolves. ....Growing evidence suggests that depression, anger and anxiety play a role in causing coronary heart disease (CHD) and complicating the outcome in existing CHD. This may occur by effects of these emotions on promoting blood clotting and the stickiness of platelets - the blood cells responsible for blood clotting. This pilot study will follow a group of people with depression but without CHD and a control group over 8 months to compare how the blood clotting profile changes as depression resolves. The potential benefits of this research are a better understanding of the links between the common illnesses of depression and CHD that might improve the prevention and treatment of heart disease.Read moreRead less
TEXTMEDS – TEXT Messages To Improve MEDication Adherence And Secondary Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,406,875.00
Summary
TEXTMEDS will evaluate a highly innovative strategy to improve cardiovascular disease secondary prevention using cheap and widely available mobile phone technology. TEXTMEDS is a randomised controlled trial of 1400 patients with acute coronary syndrome that will examine the effect of a semi-personalised secondary prevention support program sent via mobile phone text message on the proportion taking appropriate medications for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and on cardiovascul ....TEXTMEDS will evaluate a highly innovative strategy to improve cardiovascular disease secondary prevention using cheap and widely available mobile phone technology. TEXTMEDS is a randomised controlled trial of 1400 patients with acute coronary syndrome that will examine the effect of a semi-personalised secondary prevention support program sent via mobile phone text message on the proportion taking appropriate medications for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and on cardiovascular risk factors levels (e.g. cholesterol).Read moreRead less
The aim of this project is to investigate the burden which is caused by diabetes in people with coronary heart disease, and to determine whether the risk associated with diabetes has increased in recent years. This project will measure the magnitude of this problem, to assist with decision-making about allocation of health resources. The findings will also allow doctors to identify the risk of future acute cardiovascular events such as a heart attack which are associated with having diabetes.
Statistical Methods For The Analysis Of Trends In Coronary Heart Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$112,747.00
Summary
Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity and medical costs in Australia. During the 1950's and 1960's, rates of coronary disease increased rapidly, then in the late 1960's they started to decline. This decrease has continued steadily for 30 years. While some other westernised countries have had this same experience, in Eastern Europe and in many developing countries coronary disease is increasing. There is a huge amount of evidence from experimental studies in animal and ....Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity and medical costs in Australia. During the 1950's and 1960's, rates of coronary disease increased rapidly, then in the late 1960's they started to decline. This decrease has continued steadily for 30 years. While some other westernised countries have had this same experience, in Eastern Europe and in many developing countries coronary disease is increasing. There is a huge amount of evidence from experimental studies in animal and human subjects and population studies in many countries that the major determinants of coronary disease are high blood pressure, cigarette smoking and high cholesterol (and other lipids) as well as dietary factors, obesity and physical inactivity. Recently several large multicentre studies have found unexpectedly weaker associations between heart risk factors and disease rates. It is hypothesised that this is due to inappropriate analyses in which data from populations at different stages of the coronary epidemic have been combined. The aim of this study is to develop improved statistical methodology to help understand recent findings from large scale studies, such as the World Health Organization's MONICA Project, the US ARIC study and the Seven Countries study. It will provide new theoretical results and statistical software for their implementation. From a public health perspective the most important outcome will be clarification of recent apparently anomalous findings about the importance of established risk factors and effective treatments in reducing coronary disease at the population level.Read moreRead less
The Access Project - Assessment Of Coronary Artery Disease Using CT Effectively For Stable Symptoms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,369.00
Summary
Invasive Coronary Angiography (ICA) provides x-ray visualisation of coronary disease (CAD) that is essential for coronary surgery/balloon angioplasty. However many patients undergo this procedure without requiring these therapies despite the associated severe complications. The ACCESS Project screens patients scheduled for ICA, identifying those unlikely to have CAD and referring them for non-invasive CT angiography. This strategy reduces procedure complications and result in major cost savings.
Does Oxidation Of Lipoproteins By Thiocyanate-derived Oxidants Produced By Myeloperoxidase Contribute To Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$357,930.00
Summary
Considerable evidence links the heme enzyme myeloperoxidase with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), a disease that kills approximately 40% of Australians, and particularly people who smoke. The reasons for the elevated risk in smokers is not fully understood, though it is known that they have elevated thiocyanate levels - a major substrate for myeloperoxidase. The role of myeloperoxidase and thiocyanate in lipoprotein damage in atherosclerosis will be addressed in this project.
Evaluation And Optimisation Of Rapid Access Cardiology Models Of Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Many patients presenting to hospital with chest pain are admitted for observation. However improvements in cardiac testing mean ruling out an acute cardiac event early is more accurate and quicker. This project will examine the utility, safety, cost-benefits and acceptability of a Rapid Access Cardiology Clinic model of care for patients with chest pain. Their provision could reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and provide more convenient outpatient care for patients with chest pain.
Microvascular Function And Outcome In Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,514.00
Summary
Damage to the small vessels of the heart is a hallmark of heart attacks. Furthermore, small vessel dysfunction (MVD) is associated with a worse prognosis even in the presence of an unblocked major coronary artery following a heart attack. Using novel invasive assessments, we aim to analyse the prevalence and clinical predictors of MVD, assess the impact of MVD on short and long-term outcome after heart attack and address the impact of new treatments on MVD and heart muscle recovery.
Increasing Cardiovascular Risk Assessment In First Degree Relatives Of Patients With Premature Heart Disease: An RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,972.00
Summary
Family history is a risk factor for ischaemic heart disease (IHD), especially if the history includes early onset disease. Families share both genetic and environmental risk factors, many of which can be modified to reduce the risk of heart disease. The aim of this project is to trial an intervention to promote heart disese risk assessment among the relatives of patients with premature heart disease. This is a first step toward prevention of heart disease in these families.
Building Urban Planning And Health Evidence To Inform Policy And Practice That Creates Healthy, Liveable And Equitable Communities Designed To Prevent Non-communicable Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$851,980.00
Summary
City planning directly and indirectly affects the health of residents. For example, ‘affordable’ housing on the urban fringe typically has poor access to public transport, shops and services. This increases motor vehicle dependency and time spent driving which increases levels of physical inactivity, sedentariness, obesity, social isolation and air pollution. This research focuses on how to build communities that promote health and wellbeing in residents.