Every 10 minutes, an Australian suffers a heart attack. And for some, there may be little warning. 

Around one in four of people who experience a heart attack have shown none of the traditional risk factors doctors look for, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or smoking. So how can we identify the people at risk before a heart attack happens? 

This is the challenge at the heart of Professor Gemma Figtree’s groundbreaking research. 

Join Professor Gemma Figtree AM for the 2026 Wesfarmers Harry Perkins Oration as she takes us behind the science of heart disease and explores the urgent search for new ways to detect and treat coronary artery disease before it becomes life-threatening. 

“Innovation to achieve early detection and treatment of coronary artery disease before a heart attack – the Mission of CAD Frontiers”

When: Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 6.30pm – 7.45pm
(light refreshments served from 5.45pm)

Where: McCusker Auditorium, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research

Cost: Free

REGISTER HERE 

As one of Australia’s leading cardiologists, Gemma brings together experience across medical research, clinical care and innovation. Her research spans the laboratory through to large-scale studies and clinical trials, with the goal of understanding why some people are more susceptible to heart attack and how we can improve outcomes for patients.  

At this year’s Wesfarmers Harry Perkins Oration, discover why finding a way to identify “silent” coronary artery disease before a heart attack could be a game-changer – and how research into blood biomarkers and new treatments could bring us closer to a world without heart attacks. 

This is a fascinating opportunity to hear directly from a leading Australian researcher about one of the biggest challenges facing our health system – and the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when science, medicine and innovation come together.  

REGISTER

Read more about Prof Figtree here.