The development of heart disease occurs in our teenage years, but most people only find out they have a problem when they suffer a life threatening heart attack or stroke. The Clinical Research Group focuses on the early changes that eventually lead to blood vessel hardening and heart disease by examining the influence of gender, ethnic background, life-style, genetics, obesity, age and other factors. Their quest is to develop a simple blood test or imaging test to diagnose the early stages of the disease. This will revolutionise the way we treat heart disease and potentially prevent millions of deaths worldwide each year.
The group has a number of specialist cardiologists who work closely with heart disease patients through the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Recently the Clinical Research Group has developed a number of non-invasive techniques, mainly ultrasound based, which detect the development of early stages of vessel abnormalities in the blood circulation system. The group is also conducting basic science examining the roles of inflammation and cholesterol in heart disease.
Click here for information on current projects
YOUNG AT HEART: PREVENTING HEART DISEASE IN CHILDRENAs part of the our Clinical Research Group,Dr Ayer’s research focuses on improving the cardiovascular health of children, particularly by finding early factors that raise or lower the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.