Heart Month: research into heart muscle disease
Claudia Nunes is a cardiovascular research nurse at the University of Oxford Radcliffe Department of Medicine Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR). To mark February’s Heart Month, Claudia talks about research into heart muscle disease in adults and children.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of the heart muscle affecting both adults and children that leads to a weakened, thinned heart muscle which can result in symptoms of breathlessness and heart rhythm abnormalities. It can be acquired or inherited and represents a frequent cause for heart failure, a syndrome where the heart fails to provide adequate amounts of oxygen for the body.
Conditions such as high blood pressure, genetics and infections, as well as certain medicines or toxins, can cause DCM. At present, DCM is a lifelong, worsening disease with no specific cure. Treatments are aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and improving symptoms. However, it is difficult to predict which patients will suffer the most and require more intensive treatment.
To investigate this further, the cardiac team at OCMR is conducting a study called ‘GO-DCM’ in collaboration with study sponsor Imperial College London. This aims to improve understanding of the underlying genes causing DCM whilst identifying markers in the blood that doctors can use to individualise treatment and potentially improve symptoms.
GO-DCM is the largest ever research project investigating DCM and is funded by the British Heart Foundation and supported by the NIHR. It seeks to recruit 1,200 participants across eight centres in the UK.
Taking part is easy and study visits last around two hours. Transport is provided to and from OCMR at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Refreshments are also provided during study visits. Our friendly team led by principal investigator Masliza Mahmod and Lead Nurse Claudia Nunes would be delighted to provide you with more information.
To learn more contact claudia.nunes@cardiov.ox.ac.uk.
