Revolutionizing Heart Attack Prevention: The SCAPIS Study Aims to Identify Hidden Risks
Every year, approximately 8,000 individuals under the age of 70 experience their first heart attack, with more than 1,000 succumbing to this life-threatening event. In a groundbreaking effort to change this statistic, Göran Bergström, chief physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, has initiated a vital initiative aimed at significantly reducing the number of people affected by heart attacks by the year 2030.
Göran Bergström, a prominent figure in the realm of cardiology and a professor at the University of Gothenburg, is scientifically responsible for SCAPIS (Swedish CardioPulmonary bioImage Study) — the world's largest study dedicated to heart, blood vessel, and lung health. This ambitious Swedish initiative involves collaboration among six universities and hospitals, focusing on the health of 30,000 residents to predict and prevent heart-lung diseases over the long term.
"My focus is to try to identify completely healthy individuals who are walking around without symptoms but have an imminent risk of experiencing a heart attack without them even knowing it," Bergström explains. He emphasizes the importance of tools that can help identify those at risk, making SCAPIS an incredibly promising endeavor in this regard.
The researchers involved in SCAPIS are actively investigating changes within the blood vessels of the heart that might indicate an increased risk of a heart attack. Alarmingly, they have found that changes exist in more than 40 percent of the 30,000 individuals examined. While most of these alterations are minor, about one in 20 has more significant changes yet remain oblivious to their condition.
Identifying these at-risk individuals is common in clinical practice but poses a financial challenge. As Bergström points out, the costs associated with examining each participant can be substantial. However, advanced techniques are being explored to pinpoint high-risk categories via a simple blood test that could revolutionize the identification process.
"If we find them, we can provide preventive assistance to ensure they do not suffer a heart attack. It largely involves lifestyle changes, but there are also fantastic medications available. We have many tools for individuals living with risk, but first, we need to identify these individuals," he emphasizes.
Looking ahead, Bergström notes the potential for a groundbreaking development in screening methods, suggesting that a simple measurement taken from a blood sample could pave the way for affordable testing options in the future. His ambition is to develop a cost-effective method that could potentially eliminate up to 30 percent of risks associated with heart attacks by 2030.
Conducting a large-scale study like SCAPIS is resource-intensive, which is why the Heart-Lung Foundation acts as the primary funding source. Bergström underscores the critical nature of contributions, stating, "Every penny counts." The ability to expand the measurement capabilities within the test is contingent upon increased funding.
"We can measure numerous things in the blood of these individuals, but we still cannot afford to measure everything we want to measure. I believe that soon ideas for a solution will emerge, and it is funding that enables us to take that step," he concludes.
In response to this urgent call for support, anyone interested in contributing to this life-saving research can do so by donating. Together, we may not only help advance the research but also contribute to the prevention of countless heart attacks in the future.
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