Research into heart disease has been given a $1.2 million boost. The funding for the Prince Charles Hospital, will allow world-first engineering advancements in the treatment of one of Australia’s biggest killers.

Melissa Mackay reports.

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Working with a further $1.2 million provided by the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, the Queensland Government grant means big things for heart disease research.

Cameron Dick, Qld Health Minister: “The innovative work of the research group here has the potential of course to improve the quality of life for people living with heart disease.”

Prince Charles is at the forefront of research into mechanical assist devices.

These machines mean patients with heart disease, like Tony, can safely wait longer for a transplant.

Tony Stephens, Heart Transplant Recipient: “You’ve pretty much got yourself a machine that’s keeping you alive while you wait.”

Almost 90 per cent of Queenslanders carry the risks associated with heart disease, but only 20 per cent of donated hearts are able to be transplanted.

The amount of time it takes to transport donated hearts has been a huge problem.

Professor John Fraser, Critical Care Research Group Director: “When you’re in a state or country the size of Australia, the longer the muscle is out of the body, the more dysfunctional it becomes.”

It’s hoped the new funding will help increase the number of usable organ donations, by prolonging the amount of time a heart can spend outside the body.

Melissa Mackay, QUT News