£1.7m to explore heart attack treatments for over-75s

Researchers at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have received £1.7million from the British Heart Foundation to lead a new clinical trial.

Supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the trial will investigate if current UK practices are in line with the needs of our ageing population, by finding the most suitable way to treat patients aged over 75 and over who have had a heart attack.

Despite advances in how Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is treated, it remains responsible for nearly 70,000 deaths in the UK each year. Further to this, minimal research has been carried out to look at how best to treat patients over 75-years-old despite 50 per cent of heart attacks happening in patients aged 72 and over.

The clinical trial will look to determine whether patients over the age of 75 will benefit from a coronary angiography and angioplasty after having a minor heart attack.

Dr Kunadian, who is leading the trial, said: “There is much debate and conflicting views amongst clinicians and cardiologists about how to treat patients over 75 years old who present with a heart attack due to lack of definitive evidence as older patients are often excluded from clinical research. As people are now living longer and longer it's really important we carry out this research to identify how best to treat these patients to ensure they receive the best care available and enhance their chances of survival.”