The Heart and Blood Vessels

The cardiovascular system is a fascinating organ system whose task is to supply all the body’s organs with oxygen and nutrients, as well as carrying away waste products.

Approximately five litres of blood per minute is pumped around the body when it is at rest. During physical activity, stress, or threat, the amount can increase substantially.

Cardiovascular diseases cause 17 million deaths a year around the world. In Sweden it accounts for nearly half of all deaths. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, bad eating habits, high blood pressure, stress, and unfavourable genetic factors are the most usual risks for being afflicted.

The panorama of illnesses that strike the cardiovascular system can be:

• arteriosclerosis, which further causes clot formation and obstruction of blood flow, which can lead to myocardial infarction or limb gangrene (local cell or tissue death)

• arterial aneurysms can rupture and lead to bleeding to death
• the pumping function of the heart can deteriorate, leading to development of cardiac failure
• the conducting system of the heart can be defective, leading to dysrhythmia.

Other major cardiac diseases are congenital defects, acquired valvular disorders and inflammation of the cardiac muscle.

Thanks to intensive research on several fronts, the chance of surviving cardiovascular disease has increased drastically over the last 20 years.

Internal medicine

Research into internal medicine includes projects related to diseases of the heart and vessels, but also metabolism, the liver, and the kidneys. The principal scientific methods are molecular biology, cell lines, genetics, epidemiology, and prospective studies of both healthy and ill persons.

Cardiology

Cardiology deals with diseases of the heart and blood vessels. At LiU, research is directed towards ischaemic disorders (caused by disruptions in blood circulation), heart failure (reduced pumping function) and arrhythmia (various forms of dysrhythmia). Many of the national quality registers based on patients with coronary disease and heart failure are managed from Linköping, and many ongoing research projects get their data from this register.

Cardiovascular physiology

The mechanical properties of blood vessels have great significance for heart function and the development of cardiovascular diseases. The processes in the vessel walls are largely unknown. Research in the field is managed in collaboration with the Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) and the technical divisions of Medical Technology and Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics.

Clinical physiology

Clinical physiology is a link between preclinical basic research and its clinical counterparts within various specialities. The field also binds technical and medical science together through developing and evaluating new tools for research and diagnostics. Research at LiU focuses on functions and diagnosis in cardiovascular disease.

Thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgery at LiU focuses on cardiac metabolism in connection with surgical procedures, as well as mechanical heart devises as support in serious heart failure.

Research

Microscopy image of liver. White areas represent accumulated fat.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease which has become the most common liver disease affecting adults and children.

Two scientists are sitting infront of an MRI

Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV)

CMIV conducts focused front-line research providing solutions to tomorrow’s clinical issues. The CMIV mission is to develop future methods and tools for image analysis and visualization for applications within health care and medical research.

Circulation and metabolism - CircM

CircM is a strategic research network for researchers at Linköping University and Region Östergötland within the research field circulation and cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Research center

Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV)

News

Cancer survivors are at increased risk of disease throughout life

A study, led by researchers at LiU and Region Östergötland, shows that cancer survivors are at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases, other cancers and other diagnoses later in life.

Healthcare interpreters important for heart attack aftercare

After a heart attack, foreign-born people are less likely to attend a relapse-preventing Heart School than native-born patients. But with access to a professional interpreter, participation increases, according to a new study.

Liqourice in a bowl with liquorice roots next to it.

Small amounts of liquorice raise blood pressure

It is known that large amounts of liquorice cause high blood pressure. A study from LiU now shows that even small amounts of liquorice raise blood pressure. The individuals who react most strongly also show signs of strain on the heart.