In a new study from Vanderbilt University, researchers examined the effects of a heart attack on kidney function and made an unexpected discovery: Heart attacks actually provide short-term protection for the kidneys from subsequent acute injury.
They found that oxygen content was reduced and activation of pathways sensitive to a lack of oxygen were stimulated in the kidneys after a heart attack.
They also found that the protection seen in the kidneys post-heart attack was similar to protection observed in healthy kidneys.
Over time, however, the scientists reported that all of the initial protections of the kidneys evaporated and kidney function actually worsened as it relates to chronic kidney injury.
The later results are similar to what is seen in patients suffering from both a heart attack and chronic kidney disease instead of kidney disease alone.
The most common causes of kidney disease are type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Researchers are hopeful the findings in this study will lead to new therapies to treat people with coexisting heart and kidney disease.
They say the study adds another layer of evidence that these pathways that are being protective in the short-term are probably very important.
If scientists can figure ways to target that pathway, it could help treat or prevent these types of kidney problems in patients.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about a simple way to reduce irregular heartbeat problems and findings of this diabetes drug may increase risk of heart failure.
For more information about heart disease prevention and treatment, please see recent studies about larger thighs linked to lower risk of heart disease and results showing that this common sleep habit may strongly harm your heart health.
The study is published in the American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology. One author of the study is Andrew Terker, MD, Ph.D.
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