12 Mar 20. SCOT-HEART 2

Tynecastle legend, Jim Jefferies & his lifesaving Edinburgh Imaging cardiologist Professor David Newby, have teamed up for a new research study aimed to prevent heart attacks.

Former Hearts coach Jim Jeffries had a heart attack playing golf in East Lothian last September.

He was treated at Royal Infirmary Edinburgh by Professor David Newby.

Professor Newby is launching a new study - called SCOT-HEART 2. Researchers will compare two different ways of preventing heart problems, in order to determine which is most effective.

• 6,000 people aimed to be recruited
• 40-70 years old age range
• At increased risk from coronary heart disease

Hearts & Hibernian Football Clubs will promote the scheme.

The clubs will encourage their fans to enrol in the SCOT-HEART 2 study.

Footballing greats Gary Locke & Pat Stanton joined Jim Jefferies & Professor Newby for a launch event at Tynecastle stadium.

People who would like to take part can register their interest by visiting the study website, here.

When I had my heart attack, I was glad of the treatment that I received from Professor Newby & his team. The life-saving methods they used were based on years of research, which has reduced the number of deaths from heart attacks. I think any research we can do to bring these numbers down even further is a good thing & would encourage people to sign up for this clinical trial.

Predicting risk

At the moment, doctors use what is known as a ‘risk score’ to help decide who needs advice & medication to prevent heart attacks.

Risk scores are based on factors such as:

• Age
• Smoking habits
• Family history of coronary heart disease

However, these scores are not always accurate:

• Some patients receive unnecessary medication
• Others miss out on vital drugs.

The SCOT-HEART 2 study is funded by the British Heart Foundation

It will compare risks scores against CT scan results. Computed Tomography is a type of X-ray which generates a detailed 3D image of the heart, as well as its blood vessels.

Comparing risks scores against CT scan results will help decide if using CT scans will improve treatment:

• Stopping too many people receiving unecessary medications
• Lowering the numbers of people having heart attacks

There are 10,000 hospital admissions a year in Scotland for people with heart attacks. We are hoping our research will help reduce this number & also the number of people taking unnecessary medications.

Changing lifestyle

Previous research by the University of Edinburgh team established that CT scanning did change how patients with coronary heart disease symptoms were diagnosed & treated.

Potential SCOT-HEART 2 trial participants will undergo an assessment to see if they are suitable to participate.

If eligible, participants will be randomly assigned to either a risk score or CT scan group.

The CT scans will take place at the Edinburgh Imaging Facility QMRI.

The SCOT-HEART 2 team will use the results to advise participants & their GPs about whether a change in lifestyle is needed or if medications to prevent coronary heart disease should be prescribed.

People who would like to take part can register their interest by visiting the study website, here. 

Every 50 minutes in Scotland, someone is admitted to hospital due to a heart attack. Just 50 years ago, more than 7 in 10 heart attacks in the UK were fatal but today thanks to huge advances in diagnosis, treatment & care – many of them made possible by research funded by the BHF – at least 7 out of 10 people survive.

We want to do more & have ambitions to see survival rates rise even further over the next decade. That’s why projects like the SCOT-HEART 2, led by Professor David Newby & his team at the University of Edinburgh, are so important & we look forward to seeing the results in due course.