Cardiovascular diseases now account for every other death in the western world. Heart attacks are the most common cause of death worldwide and the global incidence is increasing. Research on cardiovascular diseases has great breadth in Uppsala. Here are a few examples from recent news reports.
In some of the studies, the researchers analyse large quantities of medical data to learn more about cardiovascular diseases and to improve treatment in the long run, as well as to find new ways of predicting who will suffer a heart attack. Other studies investigate lifestyle factors that may have the potential to prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as exercise and diet – but also how pets can affect health.
Big data creates new potential for heart research
Uppsala University is investing in a new environment within cardiovascular research based on data from large scale population registries and biobanks. "My ambition is that in five years we have identified new triggering factors for myocardial infarctions," says Johan Sundström, cardiologist and professor of epidemiology at Uppsala University.
Swedish knowledge bank increases knowledge about cardiopulmonary diseases
In autumn 2019 Sweden's new SCAPIS medical knowledge bank will be ready for studies of cardiopulmonary diseases, and researchers in the field are being encouraged to already contact the bank for an initial discussion of future possibilities.
Dog-owning heart attack patients live longer
Scientists at Uppsala University have investigated whether dog owners survive a heart attack or stroke more often than other people. The results show that both stroke and heart attack patients who were dog owners had a lower risk of dying during the follow-up period than those patients who did not own a dog.
The fastest skiers have the lowest blood pressure
The quicker someone completes the long distance cross-country ski race Vasaloppet, the lower the risk of them developing high blood pressure. This is the conclusion of a new study conducted by researchers at Uppsala University published in the online scientific journal Circulation.
Patients who attend 'Heart School' live longer
Patients who attend 'Heart School', as almost every patient in Sweden is invited to do after a first heart attack, live longer than non-participating patients. This is shown in a new study, by researchers at Uppsala University.
Women's deep belly fat more strongly linked to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
A comprehensive study from Uppsala University, with over 325,000 participants, shows that deep belly fat is a major contributing risk factor for developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study also shows that deep belly fat is a larger risk factor in women compared to men. Moreover, the scientists investigated how our genes affect the accumulation of fat and present a new, simpler method to estimate the amount of deep belly fat.
