Maria shows some heart
A local woman was among the first in the UK to volunteer for a research study that could improve the quality of life for thousands of people living with heart failure.
Maria Niedzwiedz has lived with several heart-related conditions for more than three decades.
She was most recently diagnosed with Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) where the heart can’t relax properly leading to shortness of breath and fatigue.
Maria said: “It’s had a significant impact on my life affecting my sleep, mobility and energy.”
To date, treatment options for HFpEF have been limited with poorer-than-average outcomes for patients from minority ethnic groups. The study will eventually collect and collate data on every person living with HFpEF in the UK to help deliver better outcomes for everyone.
This includes greater understanding about why people develop HFpEF, developing better tests to diagnose it, and identifying and testing new treatments.
In response to her own situation and to help others living with the condition Maria volunteered for a randomised trial which included giving a blood sample, completing a walking test and giving permission for her medical records to be accessed for research purposes.
The trial is being conducted by Ealing cardiologist Naeema Ginwala-Hasan at Northwick Park Hospital with the support of the British Heart Foundation.
Naeema said: “We hope that this study will help us to better understand why people develop HFpEF, and develop better tests and treatments for all our patients in the future.
"We are grateful to our research patients like Maria, without them none of this would be possible”.