The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario currently funds more than 600 researchers and research teams at medical institutes, universities and hospitals across Ontario. Their goal: to eliminate heart disease and stroke and improve the quality of life for thousands of Canadians affected by these conditions. Here are some of their stories.

Understanding diversity and stroke
Dr. Guillaume Paré
McMaster University, Hamilton

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in Canada – and still very little is known about how the risk varies across different ethnic groups. For example, South Asians have a 3 to 5 fold increased risk of heart attack and death from cardiovascular disease compared  to other ethnic populations. And the risk of stroke associated with hypertension is significantly greater in Chinese than Caucasians. Dr. Guillaume Paré wants to examine an ethnically diverse group of Ontarians to identify which genes affect stroke risk. More specifically, Dr. Paré wants to determine how other risk factors such as diet, activity, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and abnormal heart rhythm affect these stroke genes. This research could help develop tools to predict who is at the highest genetic risk of stroke and what lifestyle changes would offer them the best protection. “If we can find the genes that indicate increased stroke risk across different ethnicities, prevention can be started earlier. This has the potential to seriously reduce the risk of stroke in a number of ethnic groups.”

Confronting the challenge of obesity
Dr. Koon Teo
McMaster University, Hamilton

Researchers suspect that a child’s risk of obesity and heart disease develops early in life, but little is known about which risk factors develop first and how they should be managed for the best chance at a healthy adulthood. Dr. Koon Teo is studying 860 families to see how the first decade of life can influence a person’s development of obesity and other risk factors for heart disease. In 2004, he examined the medical history, physical activity and eating habits of these families. He will follow their habits until 2014 to determine if any risk factors have developed and their causes. This could help prevent or reduce the development of heart disease risk factors early in life before they lead to disease in adults. “When we know what risk factors develop at an early age and how they contribute to the risk of obesity, we can focus on managing those risks first — creating solutions to help both children and adults live healthier lives.”

More quality years for boomers
Dr. Qingping Feng,
University of Western Ontario, London

As more and more of Canada’s Baby-Boomers move into their senior years, they will be at increased risk of heart failure, which impacts quality and length of life. Dr. Qingping Feng’s research project will look for solutions to this life-limiting disease by identifying molecules that regulate and determine heart cell function. Abnormal calcium channel function has been linked to many heart disorders, and the main goal of Dr. Feng’s research is to examine the role of these calcium channels in heart health. This will help determine whether intervening with calcium channel drugs or gene therapy can eliminate or reduce the occurrence of heart failure. “We’re hoping to create new targets for treatment and prevention of heart failure, improving the health and quality of life of people living with heart disease, and those who care for them.”

Left neglected
Dr. James Danckert
University of Waterloo, Ontario

Sixty-five percent of stroke survivors experience some form of disability. One form of disability is known as unilateral neglect. This disability makes patients behave as if the left half of their world — be it their plate of food or the movement of their limbs — has simply ceased to exist. Dr. James Danckert is studying the use of innovative eyeglasses that use prisms to shift the field of vision so that these patients start to become more aware of the left side of their body. Dr. Danckert’s goal is to correct the behaviour and awareness of the stroke patient for better rehabilitation. “This research has the potential to assist patients’ recovery, with the ultimate aim of restoring their independence.”

Helping heavy smokers quit for good
Dr. Andrew Pipe
University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Becoming smoke-free is arguably one of the most effective ways to reduce a person’s risk of premature death from heart disease and stroke. However, almost 20% of Canadians still smoke. Nicotine patches can improve a person’s chances of remaining smoke-free, but the patches contain a fixed-dose of nicotine that may not be enough to reduce withdrawal and cravings in heavy smokers. Dr. Andrew Pipe’s research examines the treatment of smokers based on how many cigarettes they normally smoke in a day. One group will receive an individualized nicotine-patch treatment, while others will be given a standard-dose patch. Their quit rate will be compared and assessed one year later. “We are seeking to transform how nicotine replacement therapies are provided in order to improve long-term smoking cessation and significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.”