Heart attacks are the leading cause of death worldwide. In Australia, one occurs every nine minutes – often with no warning. More than 50% of patients experience no symptoms, and 27% have no known risk factors. That means no time for prevention – and often, no second chance.
Researchers at Royal North Shore Hospital and the University of Sydney are changing that. Through Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Frontiers, an internationally recognised initiative, they are developing a world-first screening program that combines cutting-edge genetic testing, blood biomarkers and advanced imaging to detect silent coronary artery disease before a heart attack ever occurs.
Pilot trials have already shown it works. Now, researchers are scaling up the program to validate new biomarkers, engage with GPs, and translate breakthroughs into national clinical practice.
Philanthropic support will accelerate this next phase – helping us stop heart attacks before they happen.
What we’re up against
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries of the heart. This can silently narrow or block blood flow until it suddenly ruptures, causing a heart attack. For too many people, that first heart attack is the first sign of disease.
An outdated model of prevention
Current screening tools focus on population risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure. But these miss too many people, especially those who appear healthy.
Even people with low cholesterol can have high coronary plaque. Meanwhile, millions with high cholesterol never develop CAD. The biology of heart disease is more complex – and more personal – than we ever thought.
An equity challenge
Australians in rural and remote regions, First Nations people, and those in low-income areas have far higher rates of heart disease and worse outcomes:
CAD Frontiers aims to close this gap – providing scalable, affordable screening and treatment for those most at risk.
Led by interventional cardiologist Professor Gemma Figtree AM, CAD Frontiers has created a breakthrough platform to detect CAD in its earliest, silent stage. This three-step model brings precision medicine into everyday GP care:
1. New blood-based biomarkers identify patients with silent coronary artery plaque
2. CT imaging confirms disease and maps plaque characteristics
3. GP-led treatment prevents progression and reduces heart attack risk
1. BioHEART: Over 5,000 participants have contributed CT images and blood samples, leading to the discovery of 5+ promising biomarkers
2. ESCALATE: A pilot study in general practice has tested biomarker-guided triage using polygenic risk scores (PRS)
The results are clear: PRS predicts CAD more accurately than cholesterol. Multiple novel biomarkers are now in development for affordable, GP-accessible blood tests.
With the right treatment, patients with CAD can go into full remission. But today, most never get the chance. Your support will help us detect heart disease earlier – and stop heart attacks before they happen.
Your gift will:
