Cardiovascular

In cardiovascular disease, we have projects identifying the genes causing sudden death in the young, aortic aneurysms and atheroma (causing stroke and heart attacks).

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a collective term for diseases of the heart and blood vessels such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke. It is one of the major problems facing Australian families and communities and is currently one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality (1 in 3 Australians are reported to suffer from some form of heart disease and kills one Australian every 12 minutes).

Australians are living longer but lifestyle-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, are taking an increasing toll, according to the latest report on the nation’s health. The report, issued every two years by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), has found Australians are now living an average of 25 years longer than they were a century ago. This poses as a major risk to families and communities.

Our Research Programs and Laboratories investigating Cardiovascular include:

• Agnes Ginges Laboratory for Diseases of the Aorta 
• Cell Signalling
• Clinical Cardiac Genetics
• Molecular Cardiology
• Vascular Biology