Improved Assessment Before Major Surgery
I lead projects aimed at refining the assessment of physical functional capacity before major surgical procedures. This can, in turn, provide a more accurate evaluation of which individuals are at increased risk of experiencing severe complications during or shortly after surgery. This allows for preventive measures to be taken to reduce this risk, as well as to minimize suffering and prolonged hospital stay. The research projects includes advanced exercise physiology methods with analysis of respiratory gases and ventilation (cardiopulmonary exercise testing), as well as attempts to identify individuals where simpler, low-technology methods can be used, which can both speed up the process leading to surgery and be a wise clinical choice that helps prioritize healthcare resources.
Blood Pressure Response During Exercise
In this project, I study what constitutes a normal versus an abnormal blood pressure response during an exercise test, to compare blood pressure values and blood pressure progression measured during clinical exercise tests against a standard value. The project also investigates whether an abnormal blood pressure response during exercise can be used to predict which individuals are at increased risk of later developing high blood pressure (hypertension), cardiovascular disease, or experiencing premature death. The project is a collaboration with researchers within the South Eastern Healthcare Region and with international partners at KU Leuven in Belgium.
Physiological Findings in Individuals with Prolonged Symptoms After COVID-19 Infection
Some individuals suffer from very long-lasting symptoms after recovering from COVID-19, known as post-COVID. My research focuses on better understanding the physiological factors behind reduced fitness or increased breathlessness in a large portion of these individuals. The project involves collaboration with Professor Maria Lerm at Linköping University, where we link the patient's symptoms, physiological abnormalities, and changes in DNA (so-called epigenetic changes).