Lead Researchers: Prof Geoff Tofler, A/Prof Tom Buckley Increasing evidence shows that heart attacks in some instances can be triggered by external factors such as heavy physical exertion, acute emotional stress, heavy meals, and respiratory infection. For instance, Professor Tofler’s group published their findings that respiratory infection acutely increases the relative risk of heart attack
The risk of having a heart attack is 17 times higher in the seven days following a respiratory infection, University of Sydney research has found. Published recently in Internal Medicine Journal, this is the first study to report an association between respiratory infections such as pneumonia, influenza and bronchitis and increased risk of heart attack
World-first research led by Heart Research Australia Chair Professor Geoffrey Tofler suggests the risk of a heart attack in early bereavement may be reduced by using commonly used preventative medications in a novel and innovative way.
Members of the Heart Research Australia research team participated in the world’s premier cardiovascular research meeting in America last year.