Nationally, cardiovascular disease is the key contributor to poor health. Manchester and Blackpool have the two highest rates of premature death from cardiovascular disease in England.
Our Integrative Cardiovascular Medicine Theme integrates common cardiovascular disease research approaches and methods in the heart, vascular system, brain and kidney, across the life course.
We aim to develop new ways to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease by looking at the different forms of these disease at the molecular and cell level. We will achieve this by collecting and analysing samples from large groups of patients.
Patients are involved in all stages of the research process. Local patient panels have confirmed the need for this research and highlighted the strong desire to participate in research embedded in our region.
Our Integrative Cardiovascular Medicine Theme contains four programmes:
Hypertension
This programme expands on work already conducted, investigating hypertension (high blood pressure), and hypertension in pregnancy. Our research aims to allow us to better understand how different genetic variations affect how hypertension develops and how it might be treated, leading to more personalised care.
High cardiovascular risk conditions
This work investigates immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, heart failure, kidney disease, and stroke. We will use advanced imaging and blood and tissue analysis to gain a greater understanding of the causes of these diseases, and associated complications, to help provide better outcomes for patients.
Acute coronary syndromes
Acute coronary syndrome is the name for a group of diseases where the blood flow to the heart is reduced, including heart attacks and angina. We will expand on previous work in this area, which led to a change in national guidelines, to develop further patient resources.
Congenital heart disease and inherited cardiac conditions
Studies looking at the genetics and presentation of different congenital heart diseases (CHD) will enable us to have a greater understanding of the causes of CHD and related illnesses. Clinical trials will help identify new treatments for rare inherited cardiac conditions, tailored for the way the disease presents in each patient.