We are proud to announce that ACS researchers are taking a leading role in six out of the seven national consortia that are awarded funding in the latest Dutch Heart Foundation investment round. The Dutch Heart Foundation is investing €10.5 million in large-scale research programs that aim to structurally reduce cardiovascular disease in the Netherlands. The new consortia focus on prevention, earlier detection and improved treatment of cardiovascular sciences.
Strong interest
The Dutch Heart Foundation reveals the great interest in the call for proposals. They initially received 86 preproposals, of which 20 were submitted as full proposals. An extensive selection process, resulted in the selection of the seven highest-rated programs, making it even more remarkable that ACS researchers are involved in the majority of consortia. Three of the leads are also affiliated with Amsterdam Public Health (indicated below).
Overview of the awarded consortia:
Repairing Heart Damage After Heart Attack (FIXIT)
Leads: Dr. Jan Willem Buikema (Amsterdam UMC), Prof. Dr. Leon de Windt (Maastricht University)
A heart attack leaves permanent damage to the heart. In the FIXIT project, researchers are developing a new therapy that stimulates the heart to repair itself, aiming to prevent heart failure. When heart muscle cells die during a heart attack, scar tissue
forms that cannot contract. The FIXIT team is working on a therapy to help the heart regenerate lost muscle tissue, ultimately reducing the risk of heart failure.
A heart attack leaves permanent damage to the heart. In the FIXIT project, researchers are developing a new therapy that stimulates the heart to repair itself, aiming to prevent heart failure. When heart muscle cells die during a heart attack, scar tissue
forms that cannot contract. The FIXIT team is working on a therapy to help the heart regenerate lost muscle tissue, ultimately reducing the risk of heart failure.
Improved Detection of Hereditary Heart Disease with DNA Research
Leads: Prof. Dr. Peter van Tintelen (UMC Utrecht), Prof. Mr. Dr. Corrette Ploem (Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences and Amsterdam Public Health)
Hereditary heart diseases are common but often detected too late. This project investigates in which individuals without symptoms it is useful to perform DNA testing to identify a genetic predisposition for heart disease. Early detection can prevent or delay serious heart problems, such as cardiac arrest or heart failure, especially in young
people.
Hereditary heart diseases are common but often detected too late. This project investigates in which individuals without symptoms it is useful to perform DNA testing to identify a genetic predisposition for heart disease. Early detection can prevent or delay serious heart problems, such as cardiac arrest or heart failure, especially in young
people.
Reducing Health Disparities by Considering Ethnic Background
Leads: Prof. Dr. Bert-Jan van den Born (Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences and Amsterdam Public Health), Prof. Dr. Maryam Kavousi (Erasmus MC)
Current strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease do not sufficiently address the needs of people with a non-European background. This project aims to close that gap by improving registration, adapting diagnostics, and developing better predictive models. The goal is to reduce existing health disparities, particularly among groups where cardiovascular risk factors are more prevalent, such as people of Surinamese, Ghanaian, Turkish, or Moroccan descent.
Current strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease do not sufficiently address the needs of people with a non-European background. This project aims to close that gap by improving registration, adapting diagnostics, and developing better predictive models. The goal is to reduce existing health disparities, particularly among groups where cardiovascular risk factors are more prevalent, such as people of Surinamese, Ghanaian, Turkish, or Moroccan descent.
A Digital Energy Model of the Heart for Personalized Heart Failure Treatment
Leads: Prof. Dr. Jolanda van der Velden (Amsterdam UMC), Prof. Dr. Natal van Riel (TU Eindhoven)
Genetic heart diseases are a serious condition that is still difficult to treat in a personalized way. Recent research shows that genetic heart diseases develop when the energy supply to the heart does not meet its needs. This project will develop a computer model that simulates the heart’s energy production and demand, allowing prediction of which medication will work best for each patient. This approach aims to provide every patient with the right treatment and a better quality of life.
Genetic heart diseases are a serious condition that is still difficult to treat in a personalized way. Recent research shows that genetic heart diseases develop when the energy supply to the heart does not meet its needs. This project will develop a computer model that simulates the heart’s energy production and demand, allowing prediction of which medication will work best for each patient. This approach aims to provide every patient with the right treatment and a better quality of life.
Earlier Recognition and Better Treatment of Right-Sided Heart Failure (ARROW)
Leads: Prof. Dr. Frances de Man (Amsterdam UMC), Prof. Dr. Linda van Laake (UMC Utrecht)
Right-sided heart failure is a serious and often overlooked condition that is frequently diagnosed too late. There is currently no treatment that truly improves the function of the right ventricle. In the ARROW project, a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, molecular biologists, and data scientists will work together to predict right-sided heart failure earlier and develop new treatments, ensuring patients receive the right care sooner.
Right-sided heart failure is a serious and often overlooked condition that is frequently diagnosed too late. There is currently no treatment that truly improves the function of the right ventricle. In the ARROW project, a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, molecular biologists, and data scientists will work together to predict right-sided heart failure earlier and develop new treatments, ensuring patients receive the right care sooner.
Making Healthy Eating More Affordable and Accessible (PREMIER-CVD)
Leads: Dr. Joreintje Mackenbach-van Es (Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences and Amsterdam Public Health), Prof. Dr. Frank van Lenthe (Erasmus MC)
For many people, healthy eating is not the easy choice, as the current food environment often promotes unhealthy options. The PREMIER-CVD consortium investigates why policies to change this environment often fail and how to overcome these barriers. The research focuses on financial incentives for unhealthy foods, sources of distrust and resistance, media and political discourse, and how regulations can be made stronger and fairer.
For many people, healthy eating is not the easy choice, as the current food environment often promotes unhealthy options. The PREMIER-CVD consortium investigates why policies to change this environment often fail and how to overcome these barriers. The research focuses on financial incentives for unhealthy foods, sources of distrust and resistance, media and political discourse, and how regulations can be made stronger and fairer.
This article was adapted from the Dutch Heart Foundation. More detailed information about all studies can be found here.
Photo: Adobe Stock