Glasgow has the highest rates of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) death in the UK, it has been revealed.
Rachel Myles, professor of cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Glasgow, said: “The problem of CVD is particularly acute in Scotland, and Glasgow has the highest rates of premature CVD death in the whole of the UK.”
Research shows that CVD causes almost 50 deaths a day in Scotland, and over 800,000 people in Scotland are living with CVD.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) estimates that half of the population will develop the disease in our lifetime.
A new research network has now been established in partnership with the Scottish Government to tackle Scotland’s high rates of heart disease.
The “Team Scotland” research collaboration will receive £5m of funding from the BHF with support from the Scottish Government.
The Cardiovascular Academic Network of Scotland (Clans) will bring together researchers, NHS clinicians, universities and patients to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and translate them into lifesaving care.
Myles said: “We have designed Clans to have a broad impact from discovery science right through to clinical trials, across a range of cardiovascular disorders.
“We have also designed it so that patients and the public are a key part of the network so that they can help us shape the impact that comes through our research.”
The new initiative will be led jointly by the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow as the first formal collaboration across institutions designed to galvanise their collective impact and supercharge research to fast-track progress.
The BHS has warned that with mortality improvements stalling and future cases of CVD expected to rise, Clans is essential to develop better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat these conditions.
Co-director Professor David Newby, BHF Duke of Edinburgh professor of cardiology, University of Edinburgh, said the funding would be “a catalyst” for working together as a concerted effort
He said: “Scotland is an amazing powerhouse for cardiovascular research, and the Scottish population are always so happy to take part in research.
“Within Clans we are setting up a unique environment for researchers across Scotland to deliver the best science, the best trials and the best studies, to improve the health of patients.
“At the moment we are all working separately to a degree, although we do collaborate, but this investment from the BHF will synergise that more.
“It will be a catalyst for us all to work together as a concerted effort – rather than doing it for each of the individual universities – we are Team Scotland, and we are going to come together as Clans to really deliver the best research.”
Clans will also help develop future research leaders and attract further investment from universities, partners and the Scottish Government.
The network also hopes to raise Scotland’s profile as a global leader in cardiovascular research and speed up the path from scientific discovery to patient benefit.
Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, said the network would help build a “more connected research ecosystem”.
He said: “Scotland has a remarkable depth of cardiovascular research expertise, and this network will help bring that expertise together with greater scale, ambition and focus, supporting world-class science, nurturing future research leaders, and enabling faster translation of discoveries into better prevention, diagnosis and treatment for people living with heart and circulatory diseases.
“Supported by the Scottish Government and working across universities, the NHS, partners and communities, the network will help build a stronger and more connected research ecosystem in Scotland, ensuring that excellent science is focused on the challenges that matter most to patients.”
Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, chief scientist (health) for the Scottish Government, welcomed the announcement.
She said: “The partnership between the Scottish Government and British Heart Foundation is a strategic investment in Scotland’s cardiovascular research future.
“By bringing together national priorities with BHF’s expertise and support, the network will strengthen collaboration across academia, the NHS, industry and communities, and help build the capacity and leadership needed for long-term research impact.”