Exertional Dyspnoea With Increased Filling Pressure - Mechanisms And Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,793.00
Summary
Patients with early heart disease often present with shortness of breath with exercise, as myocardial reserve at that stage is usually sufficient to maintain normal function at rest . Indeed, much myocardial dysfunction may originate from the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. The potential benefits of making a definitive early diagnosis are large, because it seems more likely that an impact can be made on the disease process (and theref ....Patients with early heart disease often present with shortness of breath with exercise, as myocardial reserve at that stage is usually sufficient to maintain normal function at rest . Indeed, much myocardial dysfunction may originate from the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. The potential benefits of making a definitive early diagnosis are large, because it seems more likely that an impact can be made on the disease process (and therefore, outcome) than with late stage disease. Current treatment strategies are expensive and because they are directed at end-organ damage (heart failure, heart attacks etc), rather ineffective. This multispecialty, multidisciplinary group will undertake a series of unique studies aimed at identifying early cardiovascular disease. The strategy will involve detection of abnormal filling behaviour at stress echocardiography, with randomization into longterm and short-term trials to examine various therapeutic strategies. Sensitive new cardiovascular imaging techniques will be used to detect preclinical abnormalities in the structure and function of the heart and vasculature, facilitating a mechanistic understanding of the process of increasing filling pressure with exercise.Read moreRead less
Exercise Cardiac Imaging To Study Right Ventricular Functional Remodelling In Athletes With And Without Ventricular Arrhythmias
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,587.00
Summary
Extreme exercise results in heart remodelling for which the long-term consequences are incompletely understood. We have described transient reductions in heart function following endurance sport. However, we have also described a group of athletes with serious heart rhythm problems and sustained right heart abnormalities. Therefore, we hypothesize that extreme exercise can cause potentially serious heart changes in some athletes and that detailed heart assessment during exercise will predict tho ....Extreme exercise results in heart remodelling for which the long-term consequences are incompletely understood. We have described transient reductions in heart function following endurance sport. However, we have also described a group of athletes with serious heart rhythm problems and sustained right heart abnormalities. Therefore, we hypothesize that extreme exercise can cause potentially serious heart changes in some athletes and that detailed heart assessment during exercise will predict those at greatest risk.Read moreRead less
The Haemodynamic Effects Of Cardiac Compression By Large Hiatal Hernia And The Relationship To Exercise Impairment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,270.00
Summary
Large hiatal herniae (HH) often cause debilitating exercise intolerance - the mechanism of which is unknown. This project will define the functional and haemodynamic significance of cardiac compression in patients with large HH, providing new insights into the mechanism of exercise impairment in these patients as well as clinical tools for pre-operative selection of patients likely to benefit most from surgical repair.
Central Blood Pressure: Physiology And Clinical Application
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,270.00
Summary
Current methods used by doctors to measure blood pressure (BP) have many limitations that could result in incorrect diagnosis and inappropriate treatment of high BP (hypertension). This research program will determine the clinical usefulness of new methods to diagnose and treat people with high BP. The underlying mechanisms contributing to high BP will also be examined. The findings will lead to improved ways to identify and more effectively manage people with high BP.
An abnormal blood pressure (BP) response to a clinical exercise stress test is a signal for increased cardiovascular disease risk. However, current clinical guidelines do not provide evidence based information surrounding values that may constitute this increased risk. The EXERcise stress Test collaboratION (EXERTION) aims to fill this knowledge gap via establishment of a large, national database of exercise stress test results, linked to acute and chronic cardiovascular disease outcomes.
The Effect Of Moderate And High Intensity Exercise On Cardiovascular Health And Cardiac Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,615.00
Summary
The interface between exercise, risk markers, atherosclerosis and cardiac function remains an understudied area of great public health importance. Our project will assess the effect of moderate and high intensity exercise on markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiac remodelling.
The Effect Of Exercise Training On Cardiac Structure, Function And The Electrocardiogram In Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Elite Australian Athletes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,351.00
Summary
The sudden death of an athlete is a tragic event with substantial emotional and social impact on the community.Evidence suggests that cardiac screening of competitive athletes can significantly reduce this risk (reduction of sudden cardiac death in Italy by 75%).It is imperative that we obtain data on both indigenous and non-indigenous athletes in the Australian setting to develop a normal range for our population if we are to develop an effective screening programme.
Atrial Remodelling And Risk Of Arrhythmias In Endurance Athletes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,006,750.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm problem that is 3 to 5 times more common in male athletes than the general male population - the reasons for this excess are not known. We hypothesize that the cardiac enlargement that is caused by high intensity exercise training increases the risk of AF. We will assess heart structure and function in 420 athletes across the age spectrum and assess the degree to which sports-induced changes are permanent and whether this represents an AF risk.
Characterisation Of Sub-clinical Cardiac Dysfunction Using Novel Cardiac Exercise Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,552.00
Summary
Heart failure is caused by heart muscle weakness and is associated with reduced quality of life and survival. Identification of heart failure in its earliest stages provides clinicians with an opportunity to institute preventative measures and prevent patients from developing symptoms. This project utilises novel ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging techniques performed during exercise to identify heart muscle weakness at its earliest stage.