Heart attack
Every six
minutes someone in the UK dies of a heart attack,
which occurs when blood clots block one or more of the
coronary arteries that feed the heart with blood and oxygen.
BHF-funded research has helped us to understand the condition
and improve treatment.
The discoveries by BHF scientists have helped save thousands of
lives across the country, and treatment of heart attack in the UK
is now among the best in the world.
Blood clots cause heart attacks
The late BHF Professor Michael Davies was one
of the first scientists to clearly demonstrate that blood clots in
the heart’s coronary arteries were a major cause of heart
attacks.
This breakthrough in the 1970’s paved the way for scientists
around the world to look at why blood clots happen and to develop
clot-busting ('thrombolytic') medicines to combat them.
You can read more about the discovery of clot-busting drugs in
our heart
health timeline.
Vital emergency medicines
Massive research studies led by scientists we fund, and involving tens of
thousands of volunteers, proved that a combination of two
clot-busting medicines, given quickly during a heart attack, saves
lives.
This emergency prescription is now used across the country and has helped save thousands of heart attack victims
A team led by BHF
Professor
Rory Collins tested a
combination of two medicines – aspirin and streptokinase, a
clot-buster – which they suspected would be more effective for
heart patients than any single treatment.
This new combination treatment reduced deaths amongst heart
attack patients by around 40%. The clinical trial - called ISIS2 -
also found that the earlier this combination of medicines was given
after a heart attack, the better the outcome for the patient.
Assessing chest pain
BHF
Professor Keith Fox leads an
international study to improve treatment for people going to
hospital with chest pain, and assess how the chosen treatment
impacts long-term health.
The global database of patients has enabled Professor Fox and
colleagues to develop a 'risk calculator' that health professionals
in hospital emergency departments can use to accurately assess each
patient and make treatment decisions that give the patient the
best chance of a full recovery.
Watch a video
about the research, with Professor Fox and Elizabeth Scarr - a
heart patient who took part in the global study.
What’s next?
Sadly, around half of heart attacks are still fatal.
Improvements in prevention of heart attacks can be made with
research, which is why the BHF continue to fund scientists to help
us understand more about the underlying processes.
For example, BHF Professor Steve
Watson and his team are deciphering how blood cells form
dangerous clots.