Featured research projects relating to cardiovascular health
Cardiovascular health begins in childhood
Through our epidemiological research, we now understand more about how factors in childhood are associated with cardiovascular health in adulthood. Our studies have followed people from childhood to adulthood and include the Australian-based Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH) Study and the International Childhood Cardiovascular Cohorts (i3c) consortium.
Through this work, we have demonstrated that obesity, smoking, passive smoke exposure, high blood pressure and cholesterol in childhood lead to poorer cardiovascular health in adulthood. People who adopt healthier lifestyles as they get older tend to have better cardiovascular health. These findings have informed the development of clinical guidelines and government policies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
Measuring and managing blood pressure
High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke, but often there are no symptoms to suggest a problem. The best way to diagnose high blood pressure is by accurate measurement, usually by inflating a cuff over the upper arm.
However, our research has revealed that this standard method frequently leads to misdiagnosis.
Therefore, our research is directed at improving blood pressure measurement and management. This includes developing evidence for new methods for detecting high blood pressure (e.g., during exercise stress testing) and for new, more accurate technologies for clinical use. Importantly, we collaborate with key organisations across national and international networks to translate research findings into policy.
Blood Pressure monitors - testing and measuring
How to check if your BP monitor has been tested for accuracy, and information about measuring BP at home.
Empowering people to avoid strokes
Each day across Australia, 75 people will have a stroke for the first time. This means that 1,500 Tasmanians will have a stroke each year. At least 1,200 of these strokes are avoidable because they are caused by controllable risk factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking, poor diet, alcohol use, and physical inactivity.
Our research has shown that too many Australians have these risk factors for stroke and heart disease. We have seen that these unhealthy lifestyles are more common in certain groups, such as those experiencing disadvantage or suffering from poor mental health.
We urgently need new, widely accessible interventions to help people identify and manage their risk factors for stroke. In the Personalised Knowledge to Reduce the Risk of Stroke (PERKS-International) clinical trial, we are testing new ways of helping people to know, manage, and reduce their risk factors for stroke using mobile phone technology
Stroke attacks the brain – our most vital organ. A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is cut off because of a clot blocking an artery (ischaemic stroke), or due to a burst artery (haemorrhagic stroke).
When blood is stopped, the brain cannot get the oxygen it needs, brain cells in the area die and the brain can become permanently damaged. Every stroke is different depending on where in the brain it strikes and how severe it is. What is common is the devastation it can cause to the person with lived experience of stroke, their family and friends.
Facial weakness, arm weakness and difficulty with speech are the most common symptoms or signs of stroke. A stroke is always a medical emergency. If you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke you should call 000. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage.
Stroke is Australia's second single greatest killer after coronary heart disease and a leading cause of disability. In 2020, more than 27,000 Australians experienced stroke for the first time. Tasmania has one of the highest incidences of stroke per capita in Australia. A stroke can affect anyone at any age. In 2020, 24 per cent of first-ever stroke occurred in people aged 54 years and under. Men are at greater risk than women, but women tend to have more severe stroke and recover less than men. As we get older our risk of stroke increases. However, more than 80 per cent of strokes are preventable. Managing the risk factors for stroke by living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent you from having a stroke. Some causes within our control include high blood pressure, being overweight, smoking, high cholesterol, a high intake of alcohol and diabetes.
Information courtesy of the Stroke Foundation
While a lot of risk factors for stroke are known, there remain substantial gaps in knowledge around preventing stroke. STOPstroke is funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council Synergy grant and aims to address those gaps in our understanding of how to prevent stroke. The STOPstroke researchers are an interdisciplinary team, brought together by a combined desire to make major advances in preventing stroke.
Building on previous and current efforts, STOPstroke has three main themes of work:
- Theme 1: Better identification of those who will suffer stroke
- Theme 2: Improved management of people at risk of stroke
- Theme 3: Real-world modelling and effectiveness of stroke prevention
The effects of aspirin on healthy ageing
Aspirin is known to be a good, preventive drug for people who have had a stroke or heart attack. Although aspirin has been around for over a century, it was less clear whether healthy older people should take it as a preventive measure to keep them healthy.
Menzies researchers and numerous Tasmanian GPs and participants took part in one of the largest randomised controlled trials ever conducted.
The Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial, involving 19,000 healthy people over the age of 70, found that aspirin did not extend healthy active life. Rather, it was associated with an excess of bleeding.
The outcome is that aspirin is not routinely recommended in those aged over 70, unless the person has had a heart attack or stroke.
Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study (CDAH)
The CDAH study is a cohort study with follow-up of 8,498 children who participated in the 1985 Australian Schools Health and Fitness Survey (ASHFS) when aged 7 to 15 years. Using data from repeated measures of demographic, lifestyle, and physical characteristics collected since childhood, the study's main aim is to determine the contribution of childhood factors to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes in later life. The study’s rich data has also allowed researchers to address questions about a broad range of other health conditions including mental, reproductive, bone and kidney health, and cognition.
Cardiovascular Research Flagship
Our aim is to work collaboratively with health professionals, policy-makers and the community to develop, implement and evaluate interventions to improve the cardiovascular health of Tasmanians.