Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, claiming the lives of more people than live in Massachusetts each year. We tend to diagnose these diseases only after there are severe problems that can be difficult to treat. But what if a non-invasive test existed that could predict your risk of heart disease years, even decades, before there were any symptoms?
That’s the idea at the heart of a new Boston-based research enterprise called One Brave Idea. The American Heart Association, the pharmacological giant AstraZeneca, and a Google spin-off called Verily are dedicating a collective $75 million to the effort.
The lead scientist for One Brave Idea is Calum MacRae. He’s chief of cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and we spoke with him on Living Lab Radio.
The One Brave Idea Science Innovation Center has its grand opening tomorrow afternoon at 360 Longwood Avenue in Boston.