Christchurch team continues at forefront of international heart research
As it is Heart Week (February 11-17) I would like to draw your attention to the heart research being carried out by the
University of Otago's Christchurch Cardioendocrine Research Group.
The 45 member CCERG research team has established an international reputation over the last 15 years for its innovative
research into how hormones produced by the heart under stress actually work, and how they can be used to combat heart
failure and heart attack.
This research has been described as a 'major medical advance' by international medical journals and has resulted in the
development of blood tests which are now used internationally in predicting,diagnosing and managing heart
failure/attack. Heart conditions hospitalise 30,000 people a year in NZ, and millions overseas. The annual cost of
cardiac care world-wide runs to billions of dollars.
The Cardioendocrine Research Group is led by cardiologist Professor Mark Richards, who also holds the National Heart
Foundation Chair in Cardiovascular Studies.
For further information on the work of the CCERG please contact Professor Mark Richards on 03 364 1117,
mark.richards@cdhb.govt.nz, or visit www.chmeds.ac.nz/research/cardioen/index.htm
This research is funded by the National Heart Foundation and the Health Research Council.
ENDS