Thanks to the generosity of the community, almost 3.5 million dollars has been raised through the Mater Foundation to help build two new Cardiac Catheterisation Labs in Mater Private Hospital Brisbane.
The two new cath labs feature state-of-the-art equipment which will help save hundreds of lives and provide more than 2,500 cardiac procedures to patients each year.
For 68-year-old Jane Stuart, having a stent placed in an artery that was 90 per cent blocked has been a life saver.
“I basically had no symptoms, no fatigue, no chest pain and no difficulty breathing,” Ms Stuart said.
“If I hadn’t had this procedure, I could have had a heart attack which could have been fatal, it’s prolonged my life and been amazing.”
Ms Stuart had the stent surgery in May after receiving a high calcium score on a CT scan, which uses x-rays and advanced computer processing to determine if there is hardening of the arteries around the heart.
Having endured two bouts of lymphoma Ms Stuart’s GP referred her to Mater cardiologist Dr Terri Hall, who put her through the paces of a heart stress test.
“During a stress echocardiogram we usually put patients on a treadmill or a stationary bike, and we monitor their heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure and symptoms,” Dr Hall said.
“We combine this with ultrasound pictures, to assess blood flow and to look for anything irregular.
“Unfortunately, Ms Stuart’s stress test was mildly abnormal even though she had minimal symptoms.
“A more advanced CT scan with dye revealed that she had a severe blockage, so an angiogram was undertaken and a stent placed in her coronary artery.”
Mother of two Christine Smith also had a stent put in earlier this year after a stress test with Dr Hall showed reduced blood flow to her heart.
It was her third stent in three years, and Ms Smith said she knows she’s at high risk of cardiovascular disease because of her family history.
“There has been cardiovascular disease in previous generations with many cases of high blood pressure and cholesterol in the family, and I’ve also suffered from high cholesterol and high blood pressure,” Ms Smith said.
“Thankfully Dr Hall did an angiogram soon after my stress test and recommended a stent which helped prevent me having a heart attack.”
One in six people in Australia live with cardiovascular disease (CVD) which accounts for around 25 per cent of all deaths in Australia, or around 120 people a day. [1]
And around the country, it’s estimated that someone is hospitalised for CVD every minute which equates to more than 1500 hospital admissions every day. [2]
The new cath labs will provide emergency treatment for heart issues, including procedures such as stents, angiograms, pacemaker implantations and cardiac ablations for atrial fibrillation.
On Thursday 25 June, Mater Foundation will call on the community again for its annual Mater Giving Day, when all donations made to Mater Foundation will be tripled by matched donors.
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said Mater Giving Day is an extraordinary fundraising initiative.
“Mater Giving Day brings together staff, patients and supporters to provide life-saving medical equipment, healthcare, research and education to communities across the state,” Mr Thomas said.
“We’re so excited to have our generous Matched Givers on board again this year, who have committed to tripling every dollar donated by the community – absolutely incredible.
“This is a huge boost for our fundraising efforts and will make a truly significant difference to our researchers and clinicians, who are dedicated to providing better outcomes to patients.”
Funds raised will continue to fund ground-breaking research, as well as vital equipment for our hospitals, including Mater Private Hospital Brisbane.
Donations can be made online at www.mater.org.au/givingday until midnight, Thursday 25 June.
[1] Key statistics: Cardiovascular disease | Heart Foundation
[2] Key statistics: Cardiovascular disease | Heart Foundation
