Research
“Heart & Stroke had the confidence in me to fund my research.”
Dr. Robert Hegele, Heart & Stroke researcher
Find out more Discover more breakthroughs Discover more breakthroughsResearch changes lives
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The strategy
A commitment to excellence guides our research programs and priorities.
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The impact
From the prevention of disease to the development of life-saving interventions to the transformation of rehabilitation, our research is truly life changing.
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How you can get involved
You could participate in a clinical trial or help review research proposals.
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For researchers
Find everything you need to know about Heart & Stroke funding opportunities, peer review and more
Our latest research
Extending heart health for aging – especially women
Dr. Susan Howlett targets frailty to help you live healthier, longer
Finding answers on women and stroke
Why do women fare worse than men after stroke? Dr. Amy Yu is researching the reasons.
Manitoba neurologist takes on global gaps in stroke care
Dr. Nishita Singh aims to revolutionize stroke causes and treatment
Research in action
Heart & Stroke donors and volunteers have been fueling medical breakthroughs for over six decades.
- $1.73B
- invested in research since 1952
- 75%
- decline in heart and stroke disease death rate since 1952
- 420
- researchers currently funded across Canada
Our Milestones
1954
Dr. Wilfred Bigelow performs first successful open heart surgery in Canada, using a technique developed through a Heart & Stroke research grant.
1964
Dr. William Mustard develops surgical procedure to correct “blue baby syndrome,” a previously lethal heart defect.
1965
Diagnosing heart disease becomes easier thanks to ECG telemetry, which allows doctors to monitor patients’ hearts remotely while they go about daily activities.
1968
One of the first heart transplant surgeries in Canada is performed.
1976
Prostaglandin E2 gives surgeons much needed time to repair defects in the hearts of newborns.
1976
Dr. Henry Barnett conducts first clinical trial using Aspirin to prevent strokes.
1980
Dr. Adolfo de Bold discovers atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), the hormone that controls high blood pressure, sparking a revolution in blood pressure research.
1983
Dr. Robert Côté perfects a clinical tool that measures neurological deficits following an acute stroke. This Canadian Neurological Scale is now used all over the world.
1987
Researchers pioneer the use of the clot-busting drug tPA for heart attacks.
1997
Human genome mapping reveals more than 84,000 DNA sequences related to heart disease and stroke.
1999
Clot-busting drug tPA used to treat ischemic stroke. Advocacy ensured this life-saving drug became available across the country.
Learn more
2000
ACE inhibitors are found to significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
2003
Canadian Stroke Strategy, a joint initiative with the Canadian Stroke Network, revolutionizes stroke management with a new integrated approach to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
Learn more 2005
The gene responsible for heart arrhythmias is found.
2006
Researchers identify important gender differences in the development of high blood pressure.
2009
World’s first in-utero surgery to correct congenital heart defects is performed in Canada.
2014
Researchers discover the cause of increased calcium in the heart, which can lead to an irregular heartbeat and sudden death.
2014
With government funding, Heart & Stroke placed 5,330 AEDs in public places across the country. Our advocacy work on CPR and AEDs continues.
2015
ESCAPE trial shows that treating major strokes by removing blood clots through blood vessels cuts deaths by 50% and reduces disability in survivors.
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2016
Dr. Louise Pilote identifies gender — distinct from biological sex — as a unique risk factor for the recurrence of major cardiac events.
2017
Federal measure removes heart-clogging industrially produced trans fats from all foods in Canada.
2018
Pioneering analysis quantifies the economic toll of stroke and heart disease on families, through reduced earnings and more.
2019
Revised Canada Food Guide focuses on non-processed or minimally processed foods and home cooking, removes fruit juice and discourages highly processed foods and sugary drinks.
2019
Discovery of a molecule linked to 1 in 5 cases of heart failure creates potential for preventing this debilitating condition.
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2021
By advocating for smoke-free spaces and other measures, Heart & Stroke played a major role in reducing smoking rates to 12% (from 50% in 1965).
2022
Federal government mandates front-of-package nutrition labelling on food and beverages to help Canadians make healthier choices.