Heart Institute looking for 40,000 volunteers

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is looking for more than 40,000 volunteers to take part in a study that aims to identify common genetic variations that differentiate healthy people from those who suffer early heart disease.

Its goal is to help develop a blood test that assesses a person's future risk of heart disease.

Known risk factors of heart disease include smoking, hypertension and obesity. However, more than 80 per cent of heart disease has its roots in genetic causes. Genetically, heart disease is a “complex” disease caused by variations across many genes (in contrast, some diseases such as cystic fibrosis are caused by a single gene). Identifying these genetic variations holds significant promise for reducing or eradicating heart disease altogether.

To be eligible for the study, volunteers must match the criteria of one of two research populations:

• The first population encompasses men or women 70 years of age or older, who exhibit unusually good cardiac characteristics. They should never have had a heart attack, angioplasty or bypass procedures, and not be taking any anti-anginal medication such as nitroglycerin.
   
• The second group consists of men or women, who have had heart problems (e.g., heart attack, angioplasty or bypass at 55 years of age or younger), but do not have diabetes.

Qualified volunteers will answer a questionnaire, donate a blood sample and have their height, weight and blood pressure measured. All of this will take about 15 minutes to complete.

For more information, contact Heather Doelle at heather@heartstudy.ca or visit www.heartstudy.ca.