Cardiovascular research is research that focuses on the heart and its overall health. Due to the fact that the heart is so complex and there are so many facets to the topic, there are many different areas of research within that main topic. Cardiovascular research could focus on overall heart health, dealing with heart attacks, how the heart responds during exercise and other heart health matters.
The main goal of cardiovascular research is to prolong the heart and keep it healthy. Much of the advancements taken advantage of today are tied to research. This includes steps that are taken before and after a heart attack. It includes prevention of such situations and rehabilitation afterward.
There are a number of main components to cardiovascular research and most are similar to other types of scientific research. First, scientists must investigate the root cause of problems. The heart, if it malfunctions, usually has a reason for doing so. This has led to the recognition, over the years, that cholesterol is bad, for example.
Once that is completed, the next step is to evaluate effective methods of dealing with the problem. This is likely to be one of the longest steps in the process, especially if the issue is a totally new one or presents a number of different complications. In the case cholesterol, for example, people were told simply to watch their diet and exercise more. A specific cardiac workout may have even been suggested. Now, along with being told those things, they may be given a drug specifically designed to lower cholesterol and prevent future heart attacks.
After a testing period, the next step in cardiovascular research involves education. Scientific papers must be published in peer reviewed journals. Once that takes place, there will likely be an extended effort to educate the general population about the issue. If the issue is considered important enough, even the government may help with the education process through various public health agencies and initiatives.
One of the most exciting areas of cardiovascular research in recent years has been in the area of stem cells and constructing an entirely new heart. In fact, researchers at the University of Minnesota have been able to build a rat's heart using stem cells and other types of technology. If carried forward, this type of research could help human beings in need of a new heart. Currently, transplanted organs from others face rejection issues in a human body. Building a new heart with the patient's own genetic code could solve this issue and lead to a better quality of life overall.