.jpeg)
.jpg)
Q&A with Dr Rachel Climie
Vascular ageing and cardiovascular disease in high-risk populations
Dr Rachel Climie is a Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania. Dr Climie’s research focuses on preventing cardiovascular disease by identifying damage to blood vessels in high risk populations. Damage to blood vessels over time is known as vascular ageing. Vascular ageing can be detected before the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease appear. Dr Climie’s research focuses on preventing premature vascular ageing, which can start as early as childhood, through healthy lifestyle behaviours.
What are you currently researching?
My research is focused on vascular ageing; how the blood vessels age as we age. Early vascular ageing is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease begin to develop in childhood and are related to poor outcomes in adulthood. This is particularly concerning given that 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese and around 75% of children are not meeting physical activity recommendations. Overweight and obesity, and physical inactivity are cardiovascular disease risk factors. This means it is likely that a high proportion of children will have early vascular ageing.
Over the last 2 years, I have been investigating vascular ageing across the life course. I have been working to understand normal versus abnormal vascular ageing in young people. I have also been investigating the consequences of early vascular ageing in people with chronic disease (including diabetes and cancer).What difference will your research make to people’s cardiovascular health in Australia?
Early vascular ageing leads to damage in the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes which can appear before people develop any signs or symptoms of a disease. Understanding the risk factors for premature vascular ageing might help find ways to minimise damage to blood vessels and organs. This will help reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease globally.What motivated you to do your research?
I have always been very motivated to make a significant, positive impact on the lives of others. A career in research means that I can study ways to encourage people to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes following a heart healthy eating pattern and being physically active. This is important for people to avoid early vascular ageing and damage to organs, disease and premature death.Are there any achievements or discoveries from the past year you can share with us?
In the past year, I have set up the Youth Vascular Consortium. The Youth Vascular Consortium is a world-first collaboration established to investigate vascular ageing in young people. It will collect data related to the measurement of vascular ageing in children, adolescents, and young adults (aged 5 to 40 years). Currently, over 40 research groups worldwide are involved, and we have data from more than 20,000 people. Given the huge amount of data being collated, the Consortium will be a valuable resource for investigating the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in early life. This may inform early prevention strategies. The research data will be available for additional studies in the future, with the potential to encourage international collaborations.
What role has Heart Foundation funding had in your career journey?
My Heart Foundation funding allows me to pursue my research career, grow my independence, strengthen my research profile internationally and establish my research program. I would not be able to do the research I do without the support of the Heart Foundation!
Do you have a message for Heart Foundation supporters?
Early vascular ageing is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. I am very passionate about finding ways to prevent early vascular ageing to minimise the impact of cardiovascular disease on Australian lives. I am extremely grateful to the Heart Foundation donors for supporting my medical research. You have given me the opportunity to work in an area which will (hopefully) make a significance difference to the lives of many. Thank you!
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Guidelines, publications and support for the health professional community....
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
If you're 45 and over, or 30 and over if you're of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you should book your Heart Health Check today...
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
The power of your ongoing support can help save lives and keep more families together. Help us continue to fund promising heart research projects by donating today. ...
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
With one Australian having a heart attack or stroke every 4 minutes, you have the power to change this statistic. ...
For professionals: Guidelines for acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
For professionals: Guidelines for acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
Australian guidelines for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease ...
What waist measurements mean for your heart
What waist measurements mean for your heart
What waist measurements mean for your heart
How your waist measurement contributes to your heart health...
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Kate wanted to find a way she could make a difference to future generations...
Heart failure resources for patients
Heart failure resources for patients
Educate your patients on everything they need to know about heart failure and managing their condition ...
Q&A with Dr Rachel Climie
Q&A with Dr Rachel Climie
Q&A with Dr Rachel Climie
Vascular ageing and cardiovascular disease in high-risk populations...
Harnessing the power of Vitamin C to improve the cardiovascular management of septic shock
Harnessing the power of Vitamin C to improve the cardiovascular management of septic shock
Harnessing the power of Vitamin C to improve the cardiovascular management of septic shock
Associate Professor Yugeesh Lankadeva, Institution: The University of Melbourne...
Your heart medicines
Your heart medicines
Your heart medicines
Information about commonly prescribed heart medicines. ...
Dynamic Chemical Imaging
Dynamic Chemical Imaging
Dr Varun Sharma, Institution: The University of Melbourne...
How to make healthier meals at home
How to make healthier meals at home
How to make healthier meals at home
Cooking at home is often healthier than eating out....
What is coronary heart disease?
What is coronary heart disease?
What is coronary heart disease?
Coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease occurs when a coronary artery clogs and narrows because of a buildup of plaque....
My Heart, My Life program and support resources
My Heart, My Life program and support resources
My Heart, My Life program and support resources
Learn how the Heart Foundation can support you and your loved ones. ...
What is heart valve disease?
What is heart valve disease?
What is heart valve disease?
Heart valve disease means that your heart valve or valves don't open or close properly....
Nutrition after a heart attack
Nutrition after a heart attack
Nutrition after a heart attack
Discover key information on heart-healthy eating and drinking....
Q&A with Associate Professor Gary Sacks
Q&A with Associate Professor Gary Sacks
Q&A with Associate Professor Gary Sacks
Policies for creating healthier food environments: increasing evidence and accountability for action ...
Mexican vegetarian pizza
Mexican vegetarian pizza
Mexican vegetarian pizza
Physical activity in the workplace
Physical activity in the workplace
Physical activity in the workplace
Resources to help you create a more physically active workplace....
Lunch recipes
Lunch recipes
Lunch recipes
Search our lunch recipe ideas...
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
Clinical information and links to SCAD resources....
Become a corporate partner
Become a corporate partner
Become a corporate partner
Partner with us to help us fight for Australian hearts....
Mushroom, feta and thyme omelette
Mushroom, feta and thyme omelette
Mushroom, feta and thyme omelette
Practical guide to pharmacological lipid management
Practical guide to pharmacological lipid management
Practical guide to pharmacological lipid management
Pharmacological guide and resources to help you manage patients with high cholesterol...
Heart failure clinical resources
Heart failure clinical resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...
Cholesterol and heart disease (animation)
Cholesterol and heart disease (animation)
Patient-friendly animation to explain high cholesterol ...
Heart Foundation delivers $17.2 million for cutting-edge heart research in a challenging year
Heart Foundation delivers $17.2 million for cutting-edge heart research in a challenging year
Heart Foundation delivers $17.2 million for cutting-edge heart research in a challenging year
Media Release 20 October 2020...