There are other areas waiting to be investigated. It may well be that
pressure recorders into the arteries and veins will give us a clue to the
heart muscle or that the introduction of miniaturised flowmeters and
complex mechanics of the circulation, We are still in the dark about the
and so many young and able research workers available to take advantage of
rare to find a field of research where there are so many promising avenues
them.
Research into the causes and treatment of heart disease is not
becoming increasingly successful but also increasingly expensive.
The policy of British Heart Foundation is to support, by all means
possible, dedicated research workers and provide them with the mean
carry out their work.
Often a research worker needs the help of one or more trained
technicians, apparatus that may be costly and running expenses in the form
With inflation, salaries are continuously increasing and the salary bill alone
of chemicals, disposable materials and general upkeep of the laboratory.
only a limited life and has to be replaced every few years, often at great
may run into many thousands of pounds a year. Scientific apparatus has
expense.
Unfortunately, Government cut backs in supporting scientific research
has made it more imperative that research, and the resultant advances, is
supported by charities such as the British Heart Foundation, especially in the
flexible approach to the administration of their funds and encouragement of
young doctors who wish to take up careers in medical research.
In many cases, the support of private donations through British Heart
Foundation has enabled many research workers to carry out vital studies that
they would otherwise have had to postpone or abandon.
We must make sure that this invaluable support will never be lacking
in the future.