Clot-busting drug tPA used to treat ischemic stroke — one of the biggest life-saving breakthroughs.
1999
Human genome mapping reveals more than 84,000 DNA sequences related to heart disease and stroke.
1997
First genetic link to premature heart disease is discovered.
1990
Researchers pioneer the use of the clot-busting drug tPA for heart attacks.
1987
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.
1983
Dr. Adolfo de Bold discovers atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), the hormone that controls high blood pressure, sparking a revolution in blood pressure research.
1980
Prostaglandin E2 gives surgeons
much-needed time to repair defects in the hearts of newborns.
1976
One of the first heart transplant surgeries in Canada is performed.
1968
Diagnosing heart disease becomes easier thanks to ECG telemetry, which allows doctors to monitor patients’ hearts remotely while they go about daily activities.
1965
Dr. William Mustard develops surgical procedure to correct “blue baby syndrome,” a previously lethal heart defect.
1964
Dr. Wilfred Bigelow performs first successful open heart surgery in Canada, using a technique developed through a Heart & Stroke research grant.
1954
1999
1997
1990
1987
1983
1980
1976
1968
1965
1954
Scroll down and touch each pin to see the research breakthroughs
1964
1976
Dr. Henry Barnett conducts first clinical trial using Aspirin to prevent strokes.
1987
A new surgical technique helps treat irregular heartbeats.
2000
ACE inhibitors are found to significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
2000
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.
2003
2004
2004
INTERHEART study, led by Dr. Salim Yusuf, discovers the existence of nine modifiable risk factors that account for over 90% of heart attacks worldwide.
2005
2005
The gene responsible for heart arrhythmias
is found.
2006
2006
Researchers identify important gender
differences in the development of high blood pressure.
2009
2009
World’s first in-utero surgery to correct congenital heart defects is performed
in Canada.
2014
2014
Researchers discover the cause of increased
calcium in the heart, which can lead to an irregular heartbeat and sudden death.
2015
2015
ESCAPE Trial Treating major strokes by removing blood clots through blood vessels
cuts deaths by 50% and significantly reduces
disability in survivors.
1968
1990
1997
1999
2000
1964
1965
1968
1976
1980
1983
1987
2003
2004
2005
2006
2009
2014
2015
Research Breakthroughs
Life-saving advances made possible by you.
1954
2016
2018
2019
Learn more
+
Learn more
1964
1965
1968
1980
1987
1983
1976
1997
1990
1999
2000
2004
2003
2005
2006
2014
2009
2015
2016
2018
Life-saving advances made possible by you.
Research Breakthroughs
1954
1964
1980
1987
1997
2000
2004
2006
2014
2019
1983
1990
1999
2003
2005
2009
2015
2018
2016
2019
+
Learn more
+
Learn more
+
Learn more
+
Learn more
+
Learn more
+
Learn more
+
Learn more
Life-saving advances made possible by you.
1954
1964
1968
1976
1980
1983
1987
1990
1997
1999
2000
2003
2004
2005
2006
2009
2015
2016
2018
2019
