Researchers developing innovative technology for early heart disease detection have received more than $298,000 from the Heart Foundation's 2026 research funding program.
Researchers at The University of Western Australia have been awarded two Vanguard Grants to test the feasibility of innovative, non-invasive technology with the aim to improve cardiovascular health.
Professor Girish Dwivedi, Dr Hadi Afsharan and Dr Ebrahim Vahabli, from UWA's Medical School and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (APEX Heart Lab), were awarded funding to develop a wearable radar sensor to continuously and non-invasively measure pressure changes in the neck veins, helping to detect heart failure earlier.
Dr Afsharan, Professor Dwivedi and Associate Professor Barry Cense, from UWA's School of Engineering, received funds for a study to investigate whether an advanced retinal imaging technique could be used as a screening tool for coronary artery disease.
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in Australia, responsible for one in four lives lost each year.
The Heart Foundation announced $14.5 million in funding for 67 heart research projects across Australia, supporting discoveries that could transform how heart disease is prevented, detected and treated.
Dr Anna Calkin, National Manager Research for the National Heart Foundation, congratulated the outstanding researchers who received funding.
"Behind every project is the potential to deepen our understanding of heart disease and ultimately improve the lives of people affected by it," Dr Calkin said.
"Investing in research helps advance new and better ways to prevent heart disease, detect it earlier, and improve the treatment and care of people living with heart disease."
The funding will support research spanning early detection, personalised treatment, women's heart health, First Nations-focused research, artificial intelligence, stroke recovery and next-generation therapies.
The Heart Foundation is Australia's largest non-government funder of heart disease research and has funded heart research for more than 60 years, investing more than $900 million in today's dollars to date.
