Blog
Our research has never been more important
Our Medical Director, Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, tells us why the BHF’s mission has never been more important and how research leaders are tackling Covid-19 and cardiovascular disease.
In 1961, a group of doctors formed the British Heart Foundation to eradicate the growing burden of heart and circulatory diseases through research. Ever since we’ve been steadfastly committed to achieving that goal.
The Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgency of our mission. Despite Covid-19 originally being seen primarily as a respiratory disease, we now know that people with heart and circulatory diseases are disproportionately affected and that it is a systemic illness with significant effects on the heart and circulation.
Data has consistently shown that heart disease is among the most common pre-existing health conditions in Covid-19 patients who have died. And research suggests the virus inflicts significant damage on the heart and blood vessels, for example by causing clots to form, leading to heart attacks and strokes and potentially also increasing a person’s long-term risk of cardiovascular diseases.
At the BHF, we see it as our responsibility to help understand why this is the case.
Resources at our fingertips
Thanks to your support, and following sixty years of investment in cardiovascular science, we have everything in our favour to answer these questions.We have an engaged community of world-class scientists poised and ready to contribute their expertise. We have cutting-edge facilities and equipment. We have powerful partnerships with research leaders. And most importantly, we have a deep-rooted determination to tackle heart and circulatory diseases.
As a result, researchers from across the country are already carrying out studies that could rapidly lead to increased understanding and improved care for people with heart and circulatory diseases affected by Covid-19.
But to translate into improved care quickly, these efforts need coordination and leadership.
Delivering results at pace
As the pandemic was escalating, the BHF brought together research leaders through an existing partnership we have with the National Institute for Health Research. We quickly establish a Framework to identify a few national flagship projects that will tackle critical questions on Covid-19 and heart and circulatory health.After reviewing proposals from cardiovascular clinicians and scientists across the UK, we have so far selected six national flagship projects, each taking advantage of our research infrastructure to help the teams on their road to discovery.
A new disease like coronavirus demands rapid scientific progress, which is why we’re supporting projects that could produce results in a matter of weeks. Each project has the potential to provide major insights that can lead to real change, transforming the prevention and care of people with Covid-19 and cardiovascular problems.
In one project, carried out through the new BHF Data Science Centre, multiple datasets from hospitals, GP surgeries and cardiovascular registries will be linked together to give a unique insight into people with heart circulatory diseases who have had Covid-19.
In another, scientists will use artificial intelligence techniques to assess CT scans to see if the virus causes long-term inflammation. This could lead to wider use of anti-inflammatory treatments and other medicines that lower people’s risk of heart attacks or strokes.
Supporting research long-term
Alongside the devastating health effects of this virus, we can’t ignore the seismic economic impact that the pandemic is having on charities like us. Because of the closure of our shops and cancellation of our events for fundraising, like the London to Brighton bike ride, the pandemic is costing us around £10m a month.
While trying to protect our financial future, we’ve committed to supporting our current research programmes through to completion. We are also doing all we can to continue to fund new studies that have the potential to save and improve lives.
We are only able to do this, thanks to the public’s unwavering support. But we recognise we’re going to need this support more than ever if we are to keep up the pace of progress.
There is also an important role for the Government to play in supporting UK medical research through the crisis.
Charities like ours fund a huge proportion of UK research, which needs to be maintained if we’re to preserve the country’s world-leading status in science. While we remain dedicated to fostering vital cardiovascular research in every way we can, we need the Government’s support to protect our future, and the UK’s rich research ecosystem.
There’s work to be done
As we play our part in fighting coronavirus and cardiovascular disease, there is no denying the enormity of the situation we find ourselves in. Heart and circulatory diseases will continue to tear families apart beyond this pandemic. But with the public’s continued donations and support, we remain determined to reduce the pain and suffering these diseases cause.