Latest news with #OurFutureHealth
Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
How to prevent a heart attack
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan understands the importance of the most vital organ in our body only too well. When she was in her 20s and embarking on her career in medicine, her mother died from a heart attack at only 42. It came out of nowhere, as she had no known history of heart disease. 'I always knew I wanted to be a doctor,' she says, 'but that day inspired me to specialise in the heart.' Dr Babu-Narayan is now a consultant cardiologist at Royal Brompton Hospital, and associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF). 'Mum died with new symptoms. But that was 30 years ago – and a lot has changed,' she says. 'I like to think that she would have survived nowadays with the treatments we have.' She is vocal in her belief that we can take steps to manage our heart health. 'You cannot change your family history of coronary disease,' she says, 'but we can use it as a motivation to make the changes that can save lives – to try to stop a heart attack from happening in the first place.' Why is heart health important? More than half of us will have some kind of circulatory problem in our lifetime and now a new study from Our Future Health – which is set to be the UK's biggest health study – has found that over 50 per cent of people have high cholesterol and one in four have high blood pressure, putting them at risk of future heart problems and other serious diseases including stroke, diabetes and dementia. Dr Raghib Ali OBE, the chief medical officer at Our Future Health, said: 'High blood pressure and high cholesterol are key risk factors for two of the biggest causes of death and disability: heart attacks and stroke.' But it's not all doom and gloom. In the 1960s, more than seven out of 10 heart attacks were fatal, according to the BHF. Today, more than seven out of 10 people survive. And there are measures everyone can take to lower their risks of serious heart disease. What is heart disease? One in six people a day in the world die of coronary heart disease – the clogging up of the coronary arteries that limit the supply of blood to your heart. 'It is the most common heart problem in the UK,' says Dr Babu-Narayan. 'The coronary arteries are the blood vessels that carry nourishing blood to your living hard tissue, and if fatty material builds up inside those arteries, the arteries can't carry as much blood to the heart. 'If that happens, you may develop angina or, worse, a heart attack. With angina there could be chest discomfort, pressure or pain when you're doing something energetic, which gets better after you rest for a few minutes.' Either way, it's important to see your GP as soon as possible. Dr Babu-Narayan says that the build-up of fatty material (atherosclerosis) inside your arteries can start to happen decades earlier and silently progress before you ever have symptoms. If arteries that carry blood to the brain get similarly clogged up, it can lead to a stroke. A heart attack – officially known as myocardial infarction or MI – is caused by a sudden loss of blood flow to part of the heart muscle. Without enough blood and oxygen, your heart can be seriously damaged, so you or whoever is with you needs to dial 999 fast if there are warning signs. Atrial fibrillation (AF), illustrated below, is the most prevalent heart rhythm problem, causing an irregular or fast heartbeat. It is generally not life-threatening – many people live normal healthy lives with this condition – but it often needs treatment and can increase the risk of stroke five-fold, according to Heart Research UK. Cases have increased by up to 72 per cent over the last two decades.
Arab News
05-02-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Data analytics hold potential to extend healthy human lifespan, say experts
RIYADH: The role of advanced data analytics and longitudinal studies in extending the healthy human lifespan came under the spotlight at a conference in Riyadh on Wednesday. Expert panelists said that, as aging research evolved, the integration of large-scale data analytics with clinical trials was reshaping the understanding of healthy aging. The session at the Global Healthspan Summit, of which Arab News is a media partner, highlighted key national-level initiatives such as France's Instituts Hospitalo-Universitaires HealthAge and the UK's Our Future Health. Dr. Bruno Vellas, founder of the IHU HealthAge in Toulouse, set the stage by underlining the necessity of improving medical practices to align with innovative research. 'There is a need to change medical practice based on the evidence gathered,' he said, stressing the importance of integrating lifestyle factors into healthcare models. Vellas noted that while data analytics offered immense benefits, they represented only part of the solution. 'To achieve optimal outcomes, findings must be translated into clinical practice,' he said. The panel featured diverse voices including Dr. Raghib Ali, CEO and chief investigator of Our Future Health, who echoed the need for inclusive research practices. 'The focus is to produce evidence that is relevant to diverse populations, particularly those of South Asian and African descent,' he said, highlighting the urgency of addressing health disparities. 'It is essential to ensure that the innovations developed are accessible to all, not just those with the highest incomes.' Dr. Nikole Kimes, co-founder and CEO of Siolta Therapeutics, provided insights into how advanced analytics allowed researchers to move beyond traditional reductionist approaches in medicine. 'What advanced analytics enables is a shift from merely treating symptoms to understanding the complex interactions within biological systems,' she explained. Emphasizing the importance of longitudinal studies, Kimes said: 'These studies allow for an examination of health outcomes before disease symptoms manifest, providing a crucial advantage in preventative care.' She also pointed to an emerging understanding of microbiome and nutrition in shaping long-term health outcomes. 'By exploring these early factors, it is possible to potentially alleviate chronic diseases before they take root,' she said. Dr. Richard I. Morimoto, a leading researcher from Northwestern University, elaborated on the cellular mechanisms underlying stress responses. 'Stress, often viewed negatively, can actually be protective at the molecular level,' he said, emphasizing the significance of understanding interpersonal variability in stress responses and advocating for personalized healthcare strategies. 'By harnessing large data analyses, it is possible to uncover how different individuals respond to stress and how to protect against disease,' he said. 'The integration of longitudinal studies and big data opens tremendous opportunities for detecting and mitigating health risks.' He added that understanding cellular mechanisms in diverse populations was essential for tailoring interventions effectively. However, as the panel discussed the potential of these innovations, they also acknowledged the challenges in translating research into practice. Vellas pointed out the need for robust frameworks that could effectively incorporate findings into clinical settings. 'There is a need to work diligently to avoid negative trial outcomes and ensure that research translates into tangible benefits for populations,' he warned. The sentiment was echoed by Ali, who stressed the importance of identifying barriers to effective implementation. 'It is critical to map out the stages in the journey from lab research to everyday life,' he said, highlighting the role of evidence-based practices in shaping public health interventions. The discussions also touched on the ethical dimensions of research into extending the healthy human lifespan. Kimes pointed out the responsibility researchers have in ensuring findings did not worsen health inequality. 'As new interventions are developed, it is vital to remain vigilant about their accessibility and affordability,' she said. Her view aligned with Ali's commitment to producing research with a global impact. 'It is essential that findings benefit not only the UK but also communities worldwide,' he said. In closing, the panelists underscored the critical importance of collaboration across disciplines and borders. As the field of aging research continues to evolve, the insights shared highlighted the transformative potential of advanced data analytics and longitudinal studies. The prioritization of preventative care and research inclusiveness means experts are paving the way for a paradigm shift in the way healthy aging is approached.
