The prognosis for heart attack patients looks set to improve with the development of a therapy that ...
The prognosis for heart attack patients looks set to improve with the development of a therapy that will preserve the function of the blood vessels around the heart.
Researchers from Ohio State University found that the new approach would help to preserve the function of the blood vessels around the heart that currently fail to dilate properly after a heart attack has occurred and restrict the flow of the blood.
From conducting the research, they found that the delivery of a molecule, BH4, directly to the blood vessels could aid the partial restoration that opened and dilated the vessels, which would, in turn, aid the function of the heart.
News of this development came at the same time as it emerged that a separate study has found that everyday dangers such as the inhalation of exhaust fumes can exacerbate the likelihood of a person having a heart attack.
This particular study, which was funded by the British Heart Foundation, found that diesel exhaust fumes could cause changes in the electrical activity of the heart, which, in turn, would affect its function and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
In addition, the results of the study showed that air pollution could reduce the amount of oxygen available to the heart during exercise, as inhalation of diesel exhaust fumes caused a three-fold increase in the stress on the heart. Also, the protein levels that are associated with preventing blood clots decreased by over a third following exposure to fumes.
A person's risk of having a heart attack is increased and caused by unhealthy lifestyle factors such as a considerable lack of exercise, poor diet and smoking.
The British Heart Foundation is stepping up its game in promoting the effects of a healthy lifestyle through the launch of a TV advert encouraging people to be physically active.
