Silent killers

Cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks are the UK and world´s leading killer. Many risk factors, such as a high fat diet and smoking, cause heart disease by disrupting normal cell communications and triggering cells in our arteries to misbehave, which can result in narrowing or blocking of arteries. What can we learn about the development of vascular disease by hacking into these private cellular conversations? Can we then use this information to save lives?

Although heart disease has only gained recognition as a major cause of death in the last 125 years, post-mortem studies on Egyptian Mummies have confirmed that this disease has been affecting humans for centuries. Over the last century our understanding of the complex disease of atherosclerosis, the underlying ailment that causes heart disease, has rapidly progressed. Jason will discuss cutting edge research that could enable us to treat and prevent recurring diseases.

High blood pressure affects 1 in 4 adults in the UK and cost the NHS over £2 billion a year. It’s often known as the “silent killer” but what triggers it? Should we blame our parents for our genes or are we all individually responsible for not taking enough exercise or drinking too much?
The brain is increasingly seen as a selfish organ that prioritises itself at the expense of the rest of the body. Come and find out how we can help it become less selfish and reduce our risk of a stroke.