Science
Researchers honoured at the British Heart Foundation Heart Hero Awards
A study that uncovered a potential new approach to treating vascular dementia has been named Research Story of the Year at our annual Heart Hero Awards.
The Research Story of the Year category invites the public to explore three BHF-funded research projects addressing some of the biggest challenges in cardiovascular disease. The winner is decided by a public vote.
Research Story of the Year: Winner
Breaking new ground in vascular causes of dementia researchResearch from Professor Adam Greenstein and his team won the hearts of the public to take home the top prize. The team unmasked the hidden dangers of high blood pressure - a main cause of vascular dementia - revealing how it disrupts communication between the cells that make up the arteries in the brain.
These results in mice still need to be confirmed in humans, but the team are already looking at potential drugs that could restore this communication. They hope that this could improve blood supply to affected areas in the brain, slowing the progression of dementia.
Research Story of the Year: Shortlist
Two other studies making strides to improve prevention and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease were also recognised.
New scanning methods to bring forward heart diagnosis
Dr George Joy at University College London (UCL) made the shortlist for his research using two types of advanced heart scan to help doctors to detect the earliest signs and symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
The team have taken their work one step further, creating a re-usable vest to screen patients at risk of deadly heart rhythms. The vest combines detailed images of heart structures taken by MRI scans with detailed maps of the heart’s electrical activity.
AI tool to help prevent thousands of heart attacks
Professor Charalambos Antoniades at University of Oxford was shortlisted for his research to create an AI tool that could transform treatment by predicting 10-year heart attack risk in patients undergoing CT scans for chest pain. The tool measures inflammation in the heart arteries from routine heart scans.
The team found that, when they provided the AI generated risk scores to clinicians for 744 patients, in up to 45 per cent of cases the clinicians altered patients’ treatment plans. The team estimate that implementing the AI tool into the NHS could reduce the number of heart attacks, strokes and cardiac death among those having the test.
Hope on the horizon
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, our Chief Executive, said: “Cardiovascular disease affects the lives of too many families, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. But, thanks to the incredible commitment and generosity of our BHF supporters and researchers, there is hope on the horizon.
“The three studies shortlisted for our Research Story of the Year Award perfectly showcase the incredible research happening in labs and hospitals across the UK. Every day, our awe-inspiring BHF-funded researchers bring us one step closer to the next breakthrough that will save and improve lives of people affected by cardiovascular disease.”