Heart Foundation boost for Menzies research

Heart Foundation boost for Menzies research

The Heart Foundation in Tasmania today announced a $1.28 million investment into researching Australia's biggest killer - cardiovascular disease.

 The Heart Foundation in Tasmania today announced a $1.28 million investment into researching Australia's biggest killer - cardiovascular disease.

A total of 10 Tasmanian researchers will have their projects funded in 2015.

Dr Seana Gall and Dr Verity Cleland from the University of Tasmania's Menzies Institute for Medical Research have both been awarded the Heart Foundation's most prestigious award, the Future Leader Fellowship, for their research to improve cardiovascular health.

"As a charity, the Heart Foundation is the largest non-government funding body for cardiovascular disease research in Australia," said Heart Foundation CEO-TAS Graeme Lynch (pictured above with Dr Cleland, left, and Dr Gall).

"The Heart Foundation's commitment to research has resulted in significant improvements to the understanding, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

"We are fighting a disease which still affects 1 in 4 Tasmanians.

"Ongoing research into this largely preventable disease has never been more important.

"Since the inception of the Heart Foundation we have had much to celebrate but there is still a way to go in combating our nation's biggest killer. Without the support of the community this work would not be possible," he said.

The director of Menzies, Professor Tom Marwick, said the funding would enable population health researchers at the Institute to dig deeper into the factors that lead to heart disease.

"The Fellowships from the Heart Foundation will make a difference in the incredibly important work looking into the factors that have an impact on our overall cardiovascular health at different stages of life, often many years before heart disease is diagnosed," Professor Marwick said.

"In addition, the Health Professional Scholarships will mean more research can be done at the other end of the spectrum, in detection and management of heart disease. The support of organisations such as the Heart Foundation are crucial in advancing the research in these areas."

For more information please contact: Emily Sonners, Communications Officer, Heart Foundation Tasmania, M: 0418 180 346 P: 6220 2214 E: emily.sonners@heartfoundation.org.au

New research projects in 2015:
Dr Seana Gall - Future Leader Fellowship
Understanding cardiovascular disease across the life course
To improve the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in understudied
populations including young adults, women and those with atrial fibrillation.

Dr Verity Cleland - Future Leader Fellowship
Promoting active, healthy lifestyles among women at key life-stages
Women are less active than men and physical inactivity has in fact increased among
women. Although changing behaviour is difficult, key life-stages and events (eg. leaving
school, parenthood, and retirement), offer opportune times to promote health messages.

Mark Nolan - Health Professional Scholarship
Use of Advanced Cardiac Imaging in Radiation-Related Cardiotoxicity

Leah Wright - Health Professional Scholarship
Detection and management of subclinical pulmonary vascular disease

Existing research projects from 2014:
Dr Martin Shultz - Postdoctoral Fellowship
The 'UNMASK' blood pressure study

Ms Hong Yang - Health Professional Scholarship
Benefit of heart failure surveillance in rural communities

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