Groundbreaking Research Aims to Prevent Heart Attacks in At-Risk Individuals
Every year, around 8,000 people under the age of 70 in Sweden experience their first heart attack, with over 1,000 of those resulting in death. This significant health crisis has spurred efforts from experts like Dr. Göran Bergström, a consultant physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, who is dedicated to reducing this alarming statistic by 2030.
Dr. Bergström is not only a consultant physician but also a professor at the University of Gothenburg. He plays a key role as the scientific leader of SCAPIS (Swedish Cardio Pulmonary bioImage Study), which is the world's largest study focused on the heart, blood vessels, and lungs. This Swedish initiative involves six universities and university hospitals that collectively aim to examine a cohort of 30,000 residents. The goal is to predict and ultimately prevent heart and lung diseases through comprehensive research and early intervention.
"My focus is to try to identify completely healthy individuals without symptoms but who have a significant risk of having a heart attack themselves without them even knowing it," Dr. Bergström explains. He emphasizes the importance of developing new tools that can identify these at-risk individuals. SCAPIS stands out as a particularly fascinating endeavor in this context.
In the extensive study, researchers are analyzing various factors, including blood vessel changes in the heart that could indicate an increased risk for heart attacks. Alarmingly, more than 40 percent of the 30,000 participants have shown changes in their blood vessels, with some individuals having more significant alterations without even realizing the associated dangers. While these assessments can be costly, the researchers are hopeful about discovering new technology that may simplify identification, such as through a basic blood test.
If risk factors can be identified early, preventative measures can be put into place to stop heart attacks from occurring. This largely involves encouraging lifestyle changes and can also include the use of effective medications. Dr. Bergström states, "We have many tools for people living with risk, but we must first find those individuals."
The potential for revolutionizing heart attack prevention lies in the ability to develop easy, cost-effective methods to pinpoint individuals at high risk. Dr. Bergström posits, "Perhaps we can measure something in the blood that would become a test that isn’t too expensive. If SCAPIS leads to an efficient screening method, I envision a reduction of 20 to 30 percent in those at risk by 2030."
Conducting a study as comprehensive as SCAPIS requires substantial financial investment. The HeartLung Foundation serves as the primary financier, contributing essential resources needed for research progress. Dr. Bergström emphasizes, "Every single penny counts. We can measure a multitude of substances in the blood of these individuals, but we still cannot afford to measure everything we want to measure. I believe that soon, innovative solutions will emerge; it's financing that enables us to take that step."
To support this important research and contribute to efforts aimed at preventing heart attacks before they occur, you can assist by donating a small amount, such as 50 SEK. Every contribution pushes the boundaries toward a healthier future and helps save lives.
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