Using genomic data to improve the understanding, prevention and management of heart disease

2021 Future Leader Fellowship  

Years funded: 2022-2026 

Dr Sonia Shah's research will address 3 issues related to heart disease (cardiovascular disease or CVD), to significantly improve CVD prevention and treatment, and improve quality of life: 

1. Current genetic testing for individuals diagnosed with familial heart disease is limited to single high-risk genes, but a causal gene mutation is only identified in ~30% individuals. Not knowing the cause for disease can have negative psychological and health impacts. 
2. Individuals with CVD often have other medical conditions, and knowing if other medications have adverse or beneficial cardiovascular effects will help inform the best treatment in these patients. 
3. There are clear disparities in CVD between males and females. 

Dr Sonia Shah's research aims will:

1. Determine if genetic risk scores (a person’s genetic risk for disease) can provide a cause for disease when no causal gene mutation is found 
2. Identify unknown cardiovascular effects of commonly used medications 
3. Improve our ability to identify women at high risk of developing heart disease.