Coronary heart disease, which is the major cause of death worldwide, refers to issues with the heart’s blood supply, where this is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fat within the coronary arteries. This process, referred to as atherosclerosis, can be caused by unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as smoking, poor dietary patterns and a sedentary lifestyle. Such factors can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, which increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Apart from the risk factors mentioned above, other non-modifiable risk factors can increase your risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease. These are age, gender and family history.
Justin Lee Mifsud, an academic at the University of Malta and a research PhD student at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, is currently working on a project named CRISO – “Coronary Risk Prevention in Siblings and Offspring of Patients with Premature Coronary Heart Disease”. Through this project, Justin aims to identify significant resources that support risk factor modification in those at an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.
After eight years working in the clinical area of acute cardiology at Mater Dei Hospital, monitoring patients who suffered a heart attack, Justin is now focusing on primary prevention and is the principal researcher of the CRISO project.
Are you at risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease?
Do you have a parent, a brother or a sister who had a heart attack before the age of 55 in men or 65 in women?
Through this University of Malta project, Justin can help you understand how you can improve your lifestyle and the health of your heart.
Criteria for participation include:
- Age 30 years and older
- Males and females
- Maltese ethnicity
- No history of cardiovascular disease
- No diabetes
- Have a first degree relative with premature Coronary Heart Disease
My father suffered from a heart attack in his 40’s leading to a triple bypass and a heart valve replacement. Since then, I have been worried about the increased risk of developing coronary heart disease myself. The moment I heard about Justin’s project, I jumped on the opportunity and am glad I did so! Justin took the time to draw a risk assessment based on my family history and lifestyle in a very patient and professional manner and provided me with a detailed approach to help me reduce my risk of developing coronary heart disease. I recommend anyone who falls within the participation criteria to jump on this unique opportunity!
Anonymous Participant
The recruitment is open until this September.
If you would like to participate in this study and benefit from professional guidance on how to reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease, fill in this form online and you will be contacted by Justin directly. Alternatively you can send us an email with your questions at [email protected] and we will forward your email to Justin on your behalf.
You can learn more about Justin Lee Mifsud here.
Do you have a valuable project you’d like to share with us at wham? Contact us or send us an email at [email protected]
Claire Galea is a mum of three currently reading for a Degree in Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, as a mature student. She is keen about holistic patient-centered care as well as public education about health-related subjects, which she frequently writes about on Wham as a Content Writer and Website Editor.
Claire is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. She is the author of two downloadable ebooks, namely Heal Your Life Forever and 5 Simple Steps To Creating The Life Of Your Dreams.
Click here to check out Claire’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
