Wendy: precision imaging could save lives

How accurate imaging could help stop a silent inheritance 

When family history becomes urgent  

Wendy never imagined heart disease would define her family’s story. But when both her older brothers died from heart attacks - one at just 50, the other at 61 - she knew she couldn’t ignore the warning signs.  

Testing in 2019 revealed a 90% blockage in one of Wendy’s arteries. It was too severe for a stent. Over the next four years, she was closely monitored before undergoing double bypass surgery at 59. 

Why better detection could save more lives  

For Wendy, early detection made all the difference. She never had a heart attack, which made her recovery quicker. But emotionally, the burden was heavy. 

“Mentally, it was really tough. For years, I lived waiting for something to happen.”  

That’s why she backs the Hybrid imaging device for precision heart care – a Catalyst Partner project set to transform how heart disease is detected. The device combines two powerful imaging technologies into one ultra-miniaturised catheter to help cardiologists spot and treat high-risk plaques before they become deadly. 

“Current treatments often fall short of predicting which plaques will become dangerous,” laments Peter Psaltis, Head of Interventional Cardiology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and part of the project team. “That creates missed opportunities to treat not just the plaque, but the person with individualised, more effective care.” 

Changing the odds for future families 

Wendy’s story is part of a larger issue - thousands of people in Australia live with hidden blockages in their coronary arteries that don’t show up until it’s too late. Her family’s experience proves how critical accurate diagnosis is – especially for those with family history or no symptoms of heart disease. 

“If my brothers had access to better tests, maybe their blockages would’ve been found in time,” Wendy reflects. 

This next-generation imaging device could help detect heart disease earlier and more precisely - potentially avoiding surgery, hospitalisation, or death. Wendy has already encouraged her sister and adult children to be tested. 

“I feel good now. I know my risk and I’m managing it. But I went into that surgery thinking I wouldn’t come out - because my brothers never did.” 

Funding this Catalyst project means giving people like Wendy and their families a fighting chance at prevention. 

Support the future of preventative cardiology. Back the future of precision heart care.  Learn more about our Catalyst Partner.