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Canada is seeing a dramatic increase in physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes − conditions that lead to heart disease and stroke. Investing in world-class research has never been more important. In 2010, the Foundation spent close to $60 million in research, funding almost 1,500 researchers in medical institutes, universities, hospitals, and communities across the country. Since 1956, this has totalled more than $1.2 billion in research support. Read about how the Foundation
Since 1952, the cardiovascular death rate in Canada has declined by more than 75 per cent – and nearly 40 per cent in the last decade – largely due to research advances in surgical procedures, drug therapies and prevention efforts. 1962 → First heart unit Foundation researchers established the first-ever specialized coronary unit for hospitalized heart attack patients. This unique and focused approach has been adopted as the gold standard for care in hospitals worldwide. 1964 → Blue baby surgery Foundation researcher Dr. William Mustard develops the first successful surgical procedure for correcting a congenital defect known as Blue Baby Syndrome in Toronto. 1968 → First heart transplant surgery As a result of research funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the first transplant is performed in Canada. 1968 → ASA prevents stroke Foundation researcher Dr. Henry Barnett conducts the first clinical trial for the use of ASA as prevention for stroke. 1980 → Blood pressure hormone discovered A Foundation-funded researcher made a world-changing discovery when he found that the heart produces a hormone that helps to regulate blood pressure. 1997 → Gene library More than 84,000 DNA sequences related to heart disease and stroke are mapped with major contributions from Foundation-funded researchers. 1999 → Busting clots The Foundation funds research, education and advocacy that lead to the use of the clot-busting drug t-PA, which, if accessed quickly, can help erase the effects of a stroke. 2000 → HOPE study The Foundation-supported Heart Outcome Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) Study confirms that ACE Inhibitors significantly reduce the rates of heart attack and stroke. 2004 → Heart attack risk factors discovered The Foundation funds part of the INTERHEART study, which shows that nine modifiable risk factors account for 90 per cent of heart attacks worldwide. 2010 → Stroke risk factors identified Co-funded by HSF, the international INTERSTROKE study identified 10 modifiable risk factors that account for 90 per cent of strokes, with high blood pressure posing the greatest risk. The Heart and Stroke Foundation insists that all funds are awarded on an expert peer-reviewed basis. We enlist more than 2,000 national and international researchers to take part in the peer-review process every year. These researchers report directly to the 160 members of our Scientific Review Committee. Our rigorous peer review process assures that the Foundation funds only research that meets the highest standards of excellence. Through our national Heart and Stroke Foundation Federation Research Fund, we partner with other health research funding agencies to advance knowledge in the priority areas of stroke, obesity and resuscitation. Using an innovative knowledge transfer and exchange approach called the Managed Research Cycle, we act on research by strategically linking it to health policy and practice and by delivering leading-edge information about heart disease and stroke to Canadians and their healthcare professionals. The Fund brings together Canadian researchers from different fields, who share their skills and knowledge. Since it was created in 2000, the Fund has invested almost $25 million in strategic research. BUILDING THE MINDS OF TOMORROW The Heart and Stroke Foundation supports cardiovascular researchers throughout their careers, from high-school students working in research settings through to established senior scientists. Here are just some of the ways in which we fund researchers: Research chairs and professorships Through leadership, mentorship, capacity-building, collaboration and research excellence, these dedicated research superstars have a front row seat in driving our thriving world-class heart and stroke research community. Dr. Sonia Anand, McMaster University Dr. Heather Arthur, McMaster University Dr. Harald Becher, University of Alberta Dr. Ken Butcher, University of Alberta Dr. Jafna Cox, Dalhousie University / Queen Elizabeth II Dr. Henry Duff, University of Calgary Dr. Michael Hill, University of Calgary Dr. Fred Keeley, Hospital for Sick Children Dr. Scott Lear, St. Paul’s / Simon Fraser University Dr. Kim Raine, University of Alberta Dr. Philip Teal, University of British Columbia Dr. Yu Tian Wang, University of British Columbia Dr. Jeffrey Weitz, Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Centre Dr. Salim Yusuf, McMaster University Career investigator New investigator Grants-in-Aid The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s research leadership allows us to deliver science-based, up-to-date information about heart disease and stroke to Canadians and their healthcare professionals in many ways: The Canadian Cardiovascular Congress (CCC) Linking research and policy Today, heart disease and stroke are increasingly crossing age, gender and ethnic lines, with no Canadian being left unaffected. The challenges are many: an aging population, tragic effects of unhealthy eating, inactivity in our children and youth and a new surge of at-risk groups. These factors have begun to inhibit the progress that has been made across the continuum of cardiovascular care. The Heart and Stroke Foundation is poised to continue to invest in the future, with a primary focus on the health challenges posed by an aging population. Making stroke a distant memory Supporting women with The Heart Truth™ Changing the future for a generation
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