Heart Disease Research

Heart disease (cardiovascular disease) affects approximately 81 million people in the United States. It is the single leading cause of death in America today. Heart disease encompasses high blood pressure, heart attacks, angina pectoris (chest pain or discomfort caused by a reduced blood supply to the heart muscle), stroke and heart failure. Coronary artery disease (heart attacks and angina pectoris) is usually caused by artheroclerosis, the narrowing of the coronary arteries due to fatty build ups of plaque.

Through the Hope Heart Program at BRI and other BRI programs, investigators are studying new ways to prevent, cure and treat heart problems. BRI research focuses on diseases of the heart and blood vessels by studying them in the laboratory and translating this basic research to people. Approaches include research of atherosclerotic plaque, repair of tissue damaged during a heart attack, construction of artificial blood vessels, and understanding how the extracellular matrix functions. The extracellular matrix is the natural substance that holds cells together in every tissue. The extracellular matrix components are analyzed functionally in models of human disease that include obesity, atherosclerosis, wound healing, heart attack and cancer.

Below is a list of heart disease types that BRI is studying to find causes and cures for the illness. Our search engine will provide you with information on how this disease is being researched.

Atherosclerosis
Cardiac diseases
Heart Attack
Heart Disease
Inflammatory diseases
Progeria
Vascular Disease

Look for clinical research trials for diseases.