Sydney scientists at the heart of cardiovascular research
Three University of Sydney academics have been awarded Research Development Project Grants to further their innovative research and collaborations in cardiovascular health.
The grants support research into the use of technologies such as smart phones and text messaging services to improve detection, prevention and patient care for cardiovascular events, as well as the development of a world-first method to more accurately detect high blood pressure in children.
The Research Development Project Grants were awarded last night by NSW Minister for Health, the Hon. Jillian Skinner MP at the annual NSW Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN) Showcase.
Recipients include Dr Lis Neubeck from Sydney Nursing School and Charles Perkins Centre, Associate Professor Julie Redfern of Sydney Medical School and the George Institute for Global Health, and Associate Professor Michael Skilton of Sydney Medical School and the Boden Institute.
Cardiovascular disease remains a major health concern for NSW claiming the lives of women, men and children. Thirty per cent of all deaths in NSW are currently attributable to cardiovascular disease, and the disease is a major cost to our health system.
The Heart Foundation’s NSW Chief Executive, Kerry Doyle said there is great power in supporting collaboration between researchers.
“The NSW CVRN is vital in optimising our research capabilities by pooling research knowledge, resources and nurturing and retaining talent, particularly rising talent, in our State.”
“In NSW, we have some of the most innovative and outstanding researchers who are tackling cardiovascular disease head-on. We are actively supporting them to realise their full potential and ultimately, deliver break through research and substantive health outcomes” Ms Doyle said.
Project details
Dr Lis Neubeck’s grant will support her work on stroke prevention through smartphone screening for atrial fibrillation in general practice. Atrial fibrillation affects five percent of people over 65 and while early identification has been shown to prevent strokes, screening is rarely implemented. The project will investigate if the smartphone electrocardiograph (iECG) pioneered by Dr Neubeck and colleagues can be incorporated into practice nurses workflow.
Associate Professor Julie Redfern and partners will be investigating if a simple and affordable text messaging program could be used to educate, motivate and maintain a patient’s connection with chronic care services after hospital discharge. The researchers hope the program will improve adherence to chronic disease management plans and ultimately reduce hospital readmissions.
Associate Professor Michael Skilton and team aim to calculate a mathematical formula that will enable health practitioners, including family GPs, to screen for high blood pressure in a child’s aorta – the main artery that leaves the heart. Blood pressure in this artery more closely predicts risk of developing heart disease than blood pressure measured in the arm, however there is currently no way to detect this in children.
Related articles
Resetting the table to halt expanding waistlines
Can farmers, producers and regulators work together at all points of the food supply chain to help curb Australia’s growing obesity problem?
Sydney's cyclists twice as happy as other commuters: new research
Sydney's commuting cyclists are twice as happy as people who drive, walk or use public transport to get to work, University of Sydney research reveals.
Athletes score for disability and donors
Wheelchair basketball athletes from the NSW Institute of Sport and Wheelchair Sports NSW showed their support for the Pave the Way campaign this week.
Scientists should take a leaf out of wellness bloggers' books
How can we distinguish credible wellness information from unfounded pseudoscience? And why is it that wellness gurus are often taken more seriously than scientists? Jackie Randles writes.
Choosing children’s sex is an exercise in sexism
The review of Australian guidelines for the ethical use of IVF is raising questions over the impact of sex selection for non-medical purposes. Dr Tereza Hendl writes in The Conversation.
Preventing dementia
Eighty percent of people with dementia risk factors will develop the disease within five years.
Surge in flu this winter
People suffering severe flu this winter should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Health Check: the low-down on standing desks
Five things you should know before getting a standing desk, writes Josephine Chau and Lina Engelen
Mindfulness therapy alleviates PTSD, but only in the short term
Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy produces a sharp decline in the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, writes Ian Hickie and Jane Burns.
How mobile phones could save us from obesity
A world-first intervention designed by Charles Perkins Centre researchers specifically for young people found mobile phones could improve health and halt weight gain.