A recent study led by researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital has uncovered a potential new way to treat heart failure.
Heart failure is a chronic condition that affects many people in Canada, and it can cause symptoms such as breathlessness, tiredness, palpitations, or ankle swelling.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, focused on the relationship between inflammation and heart failure.
Inflammation occurs when white blood cells come together in one place, and it can be caused by various factors such as infection, injury, or chronic diseases.
In the case of heart failure, inflammation can cause heart cells to produce a protein called ISG15, which can impair heart function by sticking to other proteins in heart muscle cells.
Through a series of experiments, the researchers discovered that this post-translational modification caused by inflammation can affect the functioning of heart muscle and cause heart failure.
This discovery opens up a whole new field of heart failure research, and it has the potential to lead to new treatments in the future.
Dr. Andrew Advani, the study’s senior author, stated that the findings are exciting because they could lead to new therapies to stop ISG15 from sticking to proteins or new ways to identify people who are at risk of developing heart failure.
He also cautioned that the research is still in the early stages and it could take many years for the findings to benefit patients.
The study was conducted at the Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science at St. Michael’s Hospital and was supported, in part, by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and by the Banting and Best Diabetes Center.
Despite setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team kept going and was motivated by curiosity and the patients they look after.
In conclusion, this study sheds light on a potential new mechanism behind heart failure and offers hope for new treatments in the future.
With further research, this discovery could have significant implications for the millions of people around the world who are affected by heart failure.
How to prevent heart failure
Heart failure is a chronic condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent heart failure, there are steps that people can take to reduce their risk of developing the condition. Here are some ways to prevent heart failure:
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing heart failure. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help to reduce the risk.
Exercise regularly: Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy heart. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Manage chronic conditions: Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart failure. Managing these conditions through medication, lifestyle changes, and regular check-ups can help to reduce the risk.
Quit smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, including heart failure. Quitting smoking can help to reduce the risk of developing heart failure.
Limit alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol consumption can increase the risk of heart failure. Limiting alcohol consumption to moderate levels can help to reduce the risk.
Get enough sleep: Chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of heart disease, including heart failure. Getting enough sleep, usually 7-8 hours per night, can help to reduce the risk.
Reduce stress: Chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease, including heart failure. Managing stress through activities such as meditation, yoga, or exercise can help to reduce the risk.
Follow a healthy diet: A healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, including heart failure.
In conclusion, heart failure is a chronic condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent heart failure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and managing chronic conditions can help to reduce the risk.
By taking these steps, people can work towards improving their overall health and reducing their risk of developing heart failure.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about supplements that could help prevent heart disease, stroke, and results showing that a year of committed exercise in middle age reversed worrisome heart failure.
The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
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