McGimpsey Praises Researchers For Innovative Technology To Fight Heart Disease

The Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has congratulated local medical researchers for developing a breakthrough in the fight against heart disease.

For the first time, a Northern Ireland Research Team, led by Gary McVeigh, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Queen's University will receive a prestigious Medical Futures National Award – Cardiovascular and Chronic Disease Category for this innovative technology.

New software that will aid the early diagnosis of damage to arterial blood vessels has been produced by researchers at Queen's University and the Medical Physics Agency.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said "I would like to congratulate Professor McVeigh, his team and his partners in the Medical Physics Agency on this marvellous breakthrough. Their efforts undoubtedly have the potential to save many lives.

"This award is in recognition for all their hard work and effort. It outlines the quality and determination of all members of the health profession in ensuring that Northern Ireland leads the way in innovation on health matters"

Commenting, Professor McVeigh said "This new software, which can be incorporated in existing ultrasound systems, will help detect early signs of cardiovascular disease and help monitor progression and evaluate existing treatments.

"Risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure produce blood vessel damage that causes heart attacks and strokes. The ability to detect blood vessel disease more directly, at the earliest stage possible, will allow doctors to identify and target individuals who may be especially susceptible to blood vessel damage and intervene in order to prevent complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

"In addition, the technique will allow doctors to directly monitor the effectiveness of drug treatments in slowing or reversing vascular disease.

"The use of ultrasound is very familiar to the public and as the blood vessel assessment is quick and non-invasive, it can be used to screen blood vessel health in large numbers of individuals. If the initial potential is realised the innovation developed by our research team would represent a major advance in the fight against cardiovascular disease in Northern Ireland."

source:www.emaxhealth.com