The Heart Foundation plays an important role in funding research into the causes, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. 

We are proud to support the following outstanding researchers who have dedicated their careers towards advancing our understanding of cardiovascular disease, particularly for women.

• Associate Professor Leanne Delbridge (VIC) - Developing sex-specific strategies for cardio-protection
• Megan Teychenne (VIC) - Understanding the link between a lack of physical activity and the prevalence of depression and cardiovascular disease in women from a low socio-economic background
• Dr Lucinda McRobb (NSW) - Hormone replacement therapy and cardiovascular disease: Understanding the links

Associate Professor Leanne Delbridge
Institution:  University of Melbourne   
Award Type: Grant-in-Aid

Developing sex-specific strategies for cardio-protection

When blood flow to the heart is reduced, the cells in the heart become starved of oxygen which can cause them significant damage, often resulting in angina or heart attack.  Earlier research has found that there is a difference in the way men and women recover from a heart attack and how frequently the heart attacks occur.

Some research has shown that pre-menopausal women have a lower risk of developing heart disease; however, in the event of a heart attack they have a higher risk of death than men. Little is known about why this occurs, therefore Associate Professor Leanne Delbridge will use grant funding to find out more.

Using a laboratory model, Leanne will simulate a heart attack, identify exactly what happens and pinpoint any differences between males and females.  She hopes this research could offer new insight into the mechanisms behind heart attacks.  Ultimately, she hopes to assist in developing heart attack management strategies that are tailored specifically to men and women. This could significantly improve the treatment and diagnosis of heart health problems in the future.

Ms Megan Teychenne
Institution: Deakin University     
Award type: Postgraduate Scholarship - Public Health

Associations between physical activity and risk of depression in socioeconomically disadvantaged women

Megan is a Heart Foundation Scholar, awarded the Postgraduate Scholarship – Public Health with funding granted from 2008-2010. Research has found that people of low socio-economic status are more likely to die from heart, stroke, and vascular diseases than those from higher socio-economic groups and that physical activity can help to reduce cardiovascular risk and also reduce the incidence of depression.

Megan is driven by understanding this link between a lack of physical activity and the prevalence of depression and cardio-vascular disease in women from a low socio-economic background.   As part of her research, Megan will look  closely at the determinants of physical inactivity in this group of women with particular focus on the individual, social and environmental factors.

“By demonstrating the link between physical activity and risk of depression in socio-economically disadvantaged women, I hope to provide such women with an “active” alternative to preventing and managing depression, rather than relying on medication”.

Based on her findings, Megan will then test the possibility of designing and implementing tailored programs to promote physical activity and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and depression.

Following her graduation from a Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise and Sports Science (Honours) in October 2006, Megan remained at Deakin University as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research.  In this time she was involved in several studies looking at the associations between physical activity and depression, which have inspired her current PhD project.  Ultimately, Megan’s research could help make a contribution to reducing the risk of depression and cardiovascular disease in women from a low socio-economic background.

Dr Lucinda McRobb
Institution: University of Sydney   
Award type: Grant-in-Aid

Hormone replacement therapy and cardiovascular disease :  Understanding the links

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of most heart attacks and strokes. It occurs when fatty materials, such as cholesterol, begin to stick to the walls of arteries. An accumulation of this fatty material can block the blood flow to the heart or brain. In addition, the body reacts to the presence of this built-up material with an immune response. White blood cells are sent to the site, restricting blood flow even further and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke.

 As people age, these areas of the blood vessels with reduced blood flow, can become hardened, which further increases the chances it may cause a heart attack or stroke.

The risks of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, increase as we age. Hormone replacement therapy is commonly used by older men and women,however little is known about the relationship between these hormones and the development or progression of cardiovascular disease. Dr Lucinda McRobb will use this research grant to investigate if hormone replacement therapy has any positive or negative effects on cardiovascular disease. In particular, Lucinda hopes to find out ifthese hormones have any effect on the rate in which blood vessels harden. The knowledge gained here will help increase our understanding of the effects of hormones on diseased blood vessels.

This information will help shape clinical advice, and will allow physicians to make more informed choices about which hormones to prescribe for patients who also have cardiovascular disease. With an aging population, this important new research could help improve the quality of life and life expectancy for many.

To read about other research projects currently funded by the Heart Foundation click here.