Progress toward prevention of cardiovascular disease. A 30-year retrospective

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases
• Clinical trials

Background:

• Established in 1948 as the National Heart Institute.
• Led national research programs for heart, lung, blood, and blood vessel diseases.
• Increasingly involved in complex clinical trials to validate research findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To acquire and evaluate new basic information.
• To apply research findings to improve disease prevention, detection, and treatment.
• To sponsor demonstrations and educational activities for healthcare application.

Main Methods:

• Conducting complex clinical trials.
• Acquiring and evaluating new biomedical information.
• Sponsoring demonstrations and educational activities.

Main Results:

• Development of new equipment like the heart-lung machine and pacemaker.
• Improvement in diagnostic procedures, operative devices, and treatments.
• Significant reduction in mortality rates for heart attack, hypertension, and stroke.

Conclusions:

• NHLBI's comprehensive approach enhances disease prevention and treatment.
• Technological and medical advancements have drastically reduced cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality.
• Continued research and application of findings are crucial for public health.