OCR Text |
Show Heart Association plays Mfeavimg role The American Heart Association Associa-tion (AHA) plays a commanding role in funding research to reduce death and disability due to cardiovascular car-diovascular disease and stroke, American's number one killer. More people die of cardiovascular diseases than any other cause of death, including AIDS and cancer. "The AHA supports research because it is the best way to attack the problem, which is premature death due to cardiovascular disease," dis-ease," according to AHA, Utah Affiliate president, Dr. James R. M. Pearce. Research is the AHA's priority financial commitment. In 1987 the American Heart Association allocated allo-cated an estimated $60 million nationally na-tionally to cardiovascular research. During the same period in Utah, $106,072 was allocated to local research. re-search. Since 1949 the association has awarded more than $691 million mil-lion to support research across the USA. The scope of its financial support of cardiovascular research makes the AHA second only to the federally-sponsored National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in terms of cardiovascular disease and stroke research funding. More than 34 cents of every dol- lar spent by the Utah Affiliate goes to support the AHA's research program. This money is used to fund programs coordinated by the AHA's National Center, as well as to support researchers in this community. com-munity. "Investing in research is the most cost-effective way the American Amer-ican Heart Association can help the greatest number of people. If the American Heart Association spent its money for medicine and surgery, it could give only $2 to each of the nearly 65 million Americans Amer-icans with cardiovascular disease," dis-ease," said Pearce. Funded research has led to im portant medical advances. "Pacemakers, "Pace-makers, new forms of surgery and lifesaving drugs could not have been developed without thousands of hours and financial support," said Pearce. Using the knowledge gained from research, the AHA has educated edu-cated professionals and enabled millions of Americans to become aware of what to do about heart and blood vessel disease. The Utah Affiliate raises much of the research funds through the annual residential campaign conducted con-ducted each February. Almost 20,000 volunteers across Utah will contact their neighbors seeking a contribution to help in the fight against heart disease. Research milestones resulting from AHA funding: Here are some of the medical advances made possible through AHA supported research: 1956 The link between dietary fat with cholesterol was identified. 1960 The first surgical implant of a pacemaker was accomplished. 1966 Results of a 20 year-study year-study showed hypertension can decrease de-crease life expectancy and that higher average daily blood pressure press-ure increases the complications of hypertension. 1968 Cholestyramine was used to lower cholesterol in the blood. 1985 Research provided new insights into the ways fatty cholesterol choles-terol enters body cells, why cholesterol choles-terol levels can become too high, and the importance of regulating cholesterol in the body. 1987 The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of lovastatin, a cholesterol lowering lower-ing drug. Significant contributions to the testing of lovastatin were made by scientists who have their research roots from the American Heart Association. |