Revolutionary Study Aims to Prevent Heart Attacks Among Young Adults
Every year, around 8000 individuals under the age of 70 suffer their first heart attack, resulting in over 1000 fatalities. In a bid to reduce these alarming statistics, Göran Bergström, a senior physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, is leading an ambitious initiative aiming for substantial change by 2030.
Göran Bergström is not just a senior physician; he is also a professor at the University of Gothenburg and the scientific head of SCAPIS, the world’s largest study concerning heart, vascular, and lung health. This groundbreaking study, a collaboration among six universities and university hospitals in Sweden, aims to examine 30,000 residents to ultimately predict and prevent heart and lung diseases.
"My focus is to identify completely healthy individuals who are unaware of their significant risk of experiencing a heart attack," says Bergström.
Through SCAPIS, extensive examinations look for changes in the blood vessels of the heart that may indicate a risk of heart attacks. Shockingly, over 40 percent of the examined population displayed such changes, often without any of the typical warning signs. Though most exhibited minor changes, one in twenty had larger, more significant changes that they were completely unaware of.
Finding individuals at risk is undoubtedly expensive, but scientists are exploring technologies, including simple blood tests, to facilitate identification. "If we can locate those at risk, we can provide preventive assistance to avert heart attacks. This usually involves lifestyle modifications, but there are also remarkable medications available for those identified as high risk," Bergström explains. He envisions a future where simple and cost-effective screening methods can revolutionize how high-risk individuals are identified.
"Perhaps we can measure a specific marker in the blood that proves to be a reliable, inexpensive test," he suggests, optimistically adding that if SCAPIS develops a smart screening method, it could potentially reduce those in the risk zone by 20-30 percent.
However, comprehensive studies like SCAPIS come with a hefty price tag. The Heart-Lung Foundation plays a pivotal role as the main financier, and every contribution is crucial for the research to progress.
"There are numerous metrics we can analyze from the blood of these individuals, but we seek additional funding to measure everything we aspire to explore," Bergström noted.
With increasing calls for public support, donations are being encouraged to assist the research efforts, emphasizing the significance of even small contributions. As Bergström concludes, "Every crown counts. Soon, we hope to uncover solutions that enhance our capacity to identify and protect those at risk of heart attacks, making a crucial difference in their lives."
Related Sources: