Join the Fight Against Heart Disease: Support the World's Largest Heart Study
Every year, approximately 8,000 individuals under the age of 70 experience their first heart attack, and more than 1,000 of them succumb to this life-threatening event. As a society, we need to act now to change these alarming statistics. Dr. Göran Bergström, chief physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, is leading the charge to reduce the number of people affected by heart attacks by the year 2030.
Dr. Bergström is also the scientific lead for SCAPIS, the world's largest heart study, which focuses on the heart, blood vessels, and lungs. This major Swedish initiative has partnered six universities and university hospitals to examine 30,000 residents with the primary goal of predicting and preventing heart and lung diseases over the long term. "My focus is on identifying completely healthy people who walk around without symptoms but are at high risk of having a heart attack without their knowledge," explains Dr. Bergström. The aim of finding these individuals is what makes SCAPIS particularly compelling.
Through the SCAPIS study, researchers are examining the hearts and blood vessels of the 30,000 participants to uncover subtle changes that could indicate a risk of heart attacks. Worryingly, over 40% exhibit some form of change; while most are minor, 1 in 20 participants has significant changes without even realizing it. Although the process of identifying at-risk individuals is costly, advancements in research are underway to develop affordable techniques, including a simple blood test that could highlight these risks.
Dr. Bergström believes that by detecting high-risk individuals early on, they can be provided with preventive measures that could significantly lessen their chances of experiencing a heart attack. This could include lifestyle changes and the use of effective medications. The ultimate goal is to find methods that are not only efficient but also economical.
"What could potentially revolutionize heart disease prevention is if we could find straightforward ways to identify those at risk—perhaps through a blood test that won’t break the bank," says Dr. Bergström. His ambition is to achieve a solution that could prevent 20-30% of heart attacks in high-risk individuals identified through the study.
Scoping the resources needed for a comprehensive study like SCAPIS comes at a considerable cost. The HeartLung Foundation serves as the primary financier, and Dr. Bergström emphasizes the importance of every contribution: "Every crown counts. There are numerous markers we can measure in individuals' blood samples, but without sufficient funding, we can’t analyze everything we wish to. I believe that the ideas for solutions will emerge soon, and funding is what will enable us to take those vital steps forward."
To contribute to this groundbreaking research and help revolutionize heart health, consider donating 50 SEK. Your support will be instrumental in the fight against heart disease and in saving lives before heart attacks occur.
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