Heart failure is one of the most common, chronic cardiovascular diseases globally, characterised by high morbidity and mortality. The economic impact of heart failure in Australia exceeds $1 billion annually, driven substantively by high rates of hospitalisation. Physiologically the features of heart failure are the result of impaired diastolic performance and/or reduced cardiac output reserve. In a large portion of heart failure patients, the major underlying cause of the heart failure symptoms is an increase in the stiffness of the heart which impacts how much blood the ventricle pumps out with each contraction (termed Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction). To date, no effective therapies have been developed for this form of heart failure. On the basis of the strong portfolio of experimental and clinical data by Professor David Kaye and his team, this study aims to provide new insights into the basic mechanisms that lead to this form of heart failure.
The study also aims to develop a therapeutic strategy for those at risk, as well as new treatments for people battling this condition.
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