Saving lives through heart research and training – new grants announced

Published: 29 September 2024

Trialling smartphones to monitor heart conditions, investing in cardiac nurses to enable better patient outcomes, and addressing equity gaps in women’s heart research are just three of the many research projects and training grants awarded funding by the Heart Foundation today.

This year the Heart Foundation has awarded $4.2 million to fund heart research and specialist training, taking the total awarded since the charity began to more than $95 million.

Heart Foundation Medical Director Dr Gerry Devlin says, “With the help of smarter technologies and revolutionary approaches, we can provide more rapid treatments and targeted interventions for heart disease and achieve better patient outcomes.

“Now, more than ever, it’s essential we support researchers, embrace innovation, and invest in advanced training for cardiology professionals. Research projects and training fellowships funded by the Heart Foundation help accelerate our understanding of heart disease and advance heart health care for all New Zealanders.”

This year’s research includes an innovative pilot study at Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department (ED) that could improve the follow-up care of patients with atrial fibrillation who present with symptoms at the ED. The study aims to reduce unnecessary hospital visits and improve care, especially for rural patients.

Dr Laura Joyce, an Emergency Medicine Specialist, will trial the use of remote follow-up to screen patients in their own homes the day after their ED visit. The study uses a smartphone app to measure heart rhythm, coupled with a nurse-led phone call to guide patients through the process.

The potential to centralise remote follow-up and provide specialist advice from a distance could revolutionise how patients with atrial fibrillation are managed across New Zealand. “It could be a truly revolutionary approach to help our EDs cope with the high volume of visits they are currently experiencing,” says Laura.

Two cardiology nurse specialists have been awarded Heart Foundation funding for advanced training as nurse practitioners, enabling them to provide a wider range of services for patients in their care.

Josephine Yelavich and Tania Whare (Ngāti Tahinga, Tainui), who both work at Auckland City Hospital, have been awarded Nurse Practitioner Training Fellowships in Cardiovascular Disease. They will be able to access more services to improve clinical flow and help patients receive faster diagnosis and treatment. 

As nurse practitioners, they can also address the social needs of patients. As Tania says, “Māori nurse practitioners are vital to improving equity and outcomes for Māori patients and their whānau.”

Increasing the number of nurse practitioners is essential in New Zealand. “They have access to more rapid treatments and interventions that will relieve some of the pressure on medical specialists,” Gerry says.

This year, two Project Grants have been awarded to researchers from the University of Auckland for research that will advance heart health for women in New Zealand. 

Women have been historically under-represented in heart research studies. Now new research is examining the role that sex-specific differences may play in heart disease.

Dr Nikki Earle will be completing crucial analysis for the women and Māori participants in the landmark MENZACS study (Multi-Ethnic New Zealand study of Acute Coronary Syndromes). 

“Throughout their lifespan, women can experience female-specific risk factors for heart disease, yet these remain largely unrecognised by established risk screening tools,” says Nikki.

Another researcher, Dr Carol Bussey, will be investigating sex differences in sympathetic neural regulation of the heart, as current data is extremely limited.

“Studies like this are needed to advance biomedical research more equitably and inform care for women with a wide range of heart disease,” says Gerry.

This year’s funding also supports world-leading research on increasing heart efficiency to improve right-heart failure. This is highly topical and addresses the urgent need for improved treatment options for patients with right-heart failure, which is more common in New Zealand than the worldwide average.

Other research is exploring if a new bread could play a role in improving heart health. A novel bread recipe will be trialled – using a salt substitute with reduced sodium and added potassium – with the hope this could help reduce high blood pressure in the future.

“Funding innovative research and advanced training is essential to transform our understanding and management of heart disease,” Gerry says. “Championing new trials, tests and treatments, in addition to supporting our cardiology workforce, will advance heart health outcomes for patients and their families.”

The 2024 awards include 11 Project Grants, 2 Senior Fellowships, 3 Research Fellowships, 2 Nurse Practitioner Training Fellowships in Cardiovascular Disease, 1 Overseas Training and Research Fellowship, 1 Māori and Pacific Research Fellowship, 2 Postgraduate Scholarships, 6 Small Project Grants, 2 Grants-in-aid and 5 Summer Studentships.

A full list of the 35 grants awarded can be found here: Research grants awarded 2024