The Gary American

A new motion picture dedicated to the men and women whose work in research laboratories makes medical progress possible will be available shortly from the office of the Northwest Indiana Heart Foundation. The film "Secrets of the Heart," takes the audience behind the scenes in research centers where studies related to heart and blood vessel diseases are being conducted.

The half-hour sound film was produced for the American Heart Association and its affiliates. Dr. Irvine H. Page, President of the Association and Director of Research at the Cleveland Clinic, acts as a guide for the filmed visits to laboratories. The motion picture is unique in that it puts the spotlight on basic research. The audience has an opportunity to hear the scientists themselves explain how their apparently remote studies of fundamental problems may eventually improve our knowledge of the causes and best methods of treating coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease and other disorders of the heart and blood vessels, which account for more than half of all deaths in the United States.

In announcing the future availability of "Secrets of the Heart" in this area, Dr. H. Glenn Gardner, President of the Northwest Indiana Heart Foundation, commented: "It is particularly gratifying that "Secrets of the Heart" lays emphasis on basic research. For doctors have long recognized that such studies, which seem so remote from bedside application, will in the long run unlock the great arsenal of weapons that physicians must have to meet the challenge of heart disease. To my knowledge, this is the first time that the motion picture medium has been used to convey to the general public this important understanding.

"We have a rare opportunity not only to see the highly trained and deeply dedicated men of science at work, but also to hear them explain what they are doing in simple, straightforward language. The projects we are shown are themselves fascinating. They include the development of an artificial kidney, the study of reactions of minute blood vessels which play such a key role in high blood pressure, the observation of behavior of nerve cells in response to certain stimuli.

"Certainly "Secrets of the Heart" will go a long way toward answering the question being asked these days by so many Americans, 'What is science doing to conquer heart disease?' "