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Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and their risk factors (some of which are diseases in their own right, e.g. hypertension and diabetes) represent the largest burden of morbidity and mortality not just in the UK, but worldwide. Our researchers at IHI use “big data” approaches in translational research across aetiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of CVD.
What are we doing in this area?
We are working on a wide array of common (e.g. coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, stroke) and less common cardiovascular diseases (e.g. aortic dissection) and their risk factors and sequels in the community. Traditionally, research on these diseases was only possible via active follow-up of certain populations recruited to prospective cohort studies or randomised controlled trials. However, using real-world electronic health records data (e.g. CALIBER) and collaborating with several large bespoke studies (e.g. UK Biobank, Genomics England and UCLEB consortium), we are now able to explore various aspects of epidemiology of specific diseases, benefits/shortcomings of routine clinical management for these diseases over time, and to identify causal genetic markers for development or expansion of these diseases in various patient populations.