Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States.
Despite many years of research, medications, and health campaigns, millions of people continue to suffer from heart problems.
Doctors have long tried to reduce this risk by focusing on things like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Treatments such as statins (for cholesterol) and aspirin (for blood thinning) are commonly used. But even with these efforts, the problem remains widespread. It’s like trying to stop a wildfire with just a garden hose—helpful, but not enough.
Now, scientists may have found a missing piece of the puzzle. A team at the University of Michigan has discovered that a protein in our body, called suPAR, might be playing a major role in heart disease.
SuPAR stands for “soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor.” It’s a mouthful, but its job is quite important: it helps control the body’s immune response.
The problem comes when there is too much suPAR in the body. High levels of this protein may increase inflammation and cause damage to blood vessels over time. This can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis, where blood vessels become stiff and narrow. Atherosclerosis is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers looked at data from thousands of people and found a clear pattern—those who had higher levels of suPAR in their blood were more likely to develop heart disease. And this link stayed strong even when they considered other common risk factors like smoking, obesity, or diabetes. In other words, suPAR seems to be a risk factor all on its own.
They also found something even more surprising. Some people carry certain genes that make their bodies produce more suPAR. These individuals are at even greater risk, simply because of their genetic makeup.
The team confirmed their findings through studies in both humans and lab mice. When they tested mice that had higher levels of suPAR, those mice were more likely to develop hardened arteries—just like the people in the human studies.
But the research didn’t stop there. The scientists also found a strong link between suPAR and kidney disease. Many people with kidney problems also suffer from heart disease, and this protein might explain why. High suPAR levels may affect both the kidneys and the heart at the same time, showing us just how closely these organs are connected.
This discovery, led by Dr. Salim Hayek and his team, could be a turning point. If we can develop treatments that lower suPAR levels or block its harmful effects, we might have a new way to treat or even prevent heart disease—and possibly kidney disease, too. This would be a huge shift from the current focus on cholesterol and blood pressure.
Of course, more research is needed. Scientists still need to understand exactly how suPAR causes damage and whether it can be safely targeted with medication. But this new insight gives hope that we’re moving in the right direction.
Every time we uncover something new about how our bodies work, we get closer to finding better treatments. The discovery of suPAR’s role shows that it’s not just about fighting symptoms—we also need to understand the deeper causes. This kind of work could one day save millions of lives by helping doctors treat heart disease more effectively, and maybe even stop it before it starts.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top foods to love for a stronger heart, and why oranges may help fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
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