Heart research is entering a thrilling new era. Advanced technology can pinpoint problems faster, cutting-edge techniques can repair hearts more precisely, and sophisticated diagnostic tools are reshaping how we identify, treat and even prevent heart disease.
This World Heart Day (29 September), the Heart Foundation is announcing $4.2 million of investment into life-saving heart research, bringing the total to more than $99 million since investment began.
This year’s funding supports researchers, doctors and students from hospitals and universities across New Zealand enabling them to pursue their field of study and advance the heart health cause.
“By harnessing smarter technologies and pioneering new approaches, we can improve the lives of those living with heart disease and potentially save many lives,” says Heart Foundation Medical Director Dr Gerry Devlin.
“Great progress is being made by our research community.” Gerry says, “We welcome the innovation and the collaboration that is happening between researchers, institutions and across countries. Several of the projects are set to become clinical trials and we will continue to invest in this impactful work.”
Here are some of the research grants awarded by the Heart Foundation in 2025;
· A study into an emerging area of science, looking at the link between gut health and heart health by Dr Sarah Appleby from the University of Otago.
· Detecting heart issues before a baby is born, by a simple blood test, could revolutionise how congenital heart disease (CHD) is detected. Dr Teena Gamage will investigate a test for CHD, which affects one in 100 births in New Zealand.
· Hope is given to women affected by SCAD, a deadly heart condition affecting young women and mothers, and responsible for up to a third of heart attacks in women under 50 and half of those during pregnancy. With no consensus on how to best treat it, a global clinical trial, with New Zealand participation, will begin shortly, with funding from the Heart Foundation.
· A study by Dr Jocelyne Benatar from Auckland City Hospital will challenge the way we currently manage people after a heart attack.
· New technology has the potential to make giant leaps forward in treating people living with atrial fibrillation (AF). Dr Shu Meng, from the University of Auckland, will assist in the progression of a pioneering clinical trial to make AF treatment faster, more effective and more accessible.
https://secure.heartfoundation.org.nz/event-registration/kapiti-af-support-group
· Further work will be enabled on a global project to develop the first oral or nasal vaccine that could eradicate rheumatic fever, a disease which leads to one of the most persistent and preventable heart conditions, rheumatic heart disease. A project grant awarded to Dr Catherine Tsai will help further the work that is taking place at the University of Auckland.
· A group of University of Canterbury Bio Medical Engineering students will showcase their artificial heart in Vienna this year at a Heart Hackathon competition and join the race to develop the world’s first artificial heart.
In total, 31 research grants were awarded. Read more about our 2025 research recipients here www.heartfoundation.org.nz/about-us/our-research
Investment in heart research is a cornerstone of the Heart Foundation’s work and over the past five decades we have supported research and training that has impacted the heart health of thousands of New Zealanders. Read more about the impact of this research here www.heartfoundation.org.nz/about-us/our-research/impact-of-previous-research