| Heart disease remains the number one killer of humans. More importantly, the rates of unpredicted heart attack and out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death have remained at high levels for the past 30 years. Most recently these causes of death have particularly increased for women. Virtually no progress has been made in early detection and treatment of at risk individuals. However major advancements in the treatment of heart attack victims continue. We exist to put prevention on equal footing with treatment. OUR WORK: SHAPE strives to eliminate unpredicted heart attacks by advancing the science and practice of heart attack prevention, detection and treatment. SHAPE was established to serves as the umbrella for a series of innovative programs and projects that are designed to prevent and ultimately eradicate heart attack. In the short term, our focus is on early detection and treatment of the "vulnerable patient," individuals who are at risk of a heart attack within 1-5 years. In the long term, the organization is seeking revolutionary methods such as the "polypill" concept and a heart attack vaccine to stop and eliminate atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries) the underlying cause of heart attack. HOW WE HELP: In addition SHAPE provides educational and service-focused programs for the medical and non-medical communities. Our short term programs and services include the SHAPE initiative consisting of the SHAPE Clinic, the SHAPE Trial and program-specific symposia. SHAPE also sponsors the SHAPE-a-thon, an event that combines a family-friendly fun run and walk with our recommended heart attack screening. SHAPE is unique in advocating screening of all apparently healthy men 45-75y and women 55-75y for the disease that causes heart attack, avoiding preventable suffering and death. | 
