Revolutionizing Heart Health: A Call to Action for Preventative Care
Every year, approximately 8,000 individuals under the age of 70 experience their first heart attack, and tragically, more than 1,000 of those cases result in death. To combat this alarming trend, Göran Bergström, chief physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, advocates for proactive measures to reduce this figure significantly by 2030.
Göran Bergström is not only a reputable chief physician and professor at the University of Gothenburg but also leads one of the largest heart studies in the world, known as SCAPIS (Swedish CardioPulmonary bioImage Study). This groundbreaking initiative involves collaboration between six universities and university hospitals, aiming to assess the heart, blood vessels, and lungs of 30,000 residents. The ultimate goal is to predict and prevent incidences of heart and lung diseases, particularly among seemingly healthy individuals.
"My focus is to try to identify completely healthy individuals who go about their daily lives without symptoms but have an imminent risk of suffering a heart attack without them even knowing it," reveals Bergström. He is ardently searching for innovative methods to pinpoint these at-risk individuals, emphasizing the intriguing potential of the SCAPIS study.
Participants in this extensive research are being examined for subtle changes in their heart and blood vessels that could signal an imminent risk of heart attack. Disturbingly, more than 40 percent of those evaluated have shown such changes. While many of these changes are minor, approximately one in 20 patients exhibits significant alterations without any prior knowledge of their condition.
To uncover these hidden risks, scientists are exploring advanced technology that could allow for the identification of at-risk individuals through simple blood tests. "If we identify them, we can provide preventive help to ensure they don’t suffer a heart attack. This may involve lifestyle changes and potentially utilizing effective medications," Bergström states. He underscores the urgent need to find those individuals before they suffer a critical health event.
Looking towards the future, Bergström envisions revolutionary advancements in screening methods that could require minimal costs. "Perhaps we can measure something in the blood that becomes a simple test, not overly expensive. If SCAPIS results in a smart and affordable screening approach, my goal would be to reduce the number of high-risk patients by 30 percent by 2030," he explains.
However, conducting a study as vast as SCAPIS comes with considerable financial requirements. The Heart-Lung Foundation currently serves as the primary funder of the study, and every contribution counts significantly towards advancing this critical research.
Though researchers have the capability to measure various biomarkers in the blood, budget constraints limit the scope of their investigations. "We cannot yet afford to measure everything we want to. I believe innovative solutions will emerge soon, but financing will play a crucial role in determining whether we can take that significant next step," concludes Bergström.
The SCAPIS initiative is a pivotal movement in the effort to combat heart disease before it strikes. By identifying at-risk individuals, healthcare professionals can provide the necessary guidance and support to promote healthier lifestyles and better overall health, potentially saving thousands of lives every year. The call to action is clear: support this essential research, as every contribution can directly influence the future of heart health.
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