Heart disease has long been one of the biggest health problems in the world.
It is often called a silent enemy because it develops quietly and strikes suddenly, even when people try their best to stay healthy.
Doctors have been fighting against heart disease for many years, mainly by controlling things like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol.
They also use medicines such as aspirin and statins, which are like tools that help protect the heart. These treatments have saved many lives, but heart disease still remains the number one cause of death in the United States. Sadly, heart attacks can happen even in people who seem to be doing everything right.
Now, scientists from the University of Michigan have made an exciting discovery that could change how we think about heart disease. They found that a special protein in the body may be directly responsible for causing both heart and kidney problems.
The protein is called soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, or suPAR for short. Think of suPAR as a thermostat for your immune system, the system that protects you from infections. It is made in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside your bones where blood cells are produced.
In the past, doctors knew that suPAR levels were often higher in people with heart disease, but they thought it was only a warning sign. The new research shows something much more serious. When suPAR levels get too high, it doesn’t just signal trouble—it actually helps cause the disease.
The scientists studied more than 5,000 people who did not have heart problems at the start. Over time, they found that people with higher levels of suPAR were more likely to develop atherosclerosis, a condition where the arteries become hard and narrow.
This condition is extremely common, affecting over a billion people worldwide, and it can lead to deadly heart attacks and strokes.
The researchers went even further by studying the genes of 24,000 people. They found a particular change in a gene linked to higher suPAR levels. This was very important because when they checked the DNA of half a million people from the UK Biobank, they saw the same connection.
People with this gene change had higher suPAR levels and were also more likely to develop atherosclerosis. These findings were confirmed again in two other large studies, making the evidence very strong.
To test it further, the team also worked with mice. They found that mice with high levels of suPAR developed more blockages in their arteries compared to normal mice.
This study is special because it combined different types of evidence: real data from patients, genetic studies, and laboratory experiments with mice. All three pointed to the same conclusion—suPAR is not just an innocent bystander but an active player in causing heart disease.
The next big step for the scientists is to figure out how to safely lower suPAR levels. Current treatments like statins do not affect suPAR, so new medicines may be needed. If they succeed, it could open the door to a brand-new way of preventing and treating heart disease.
This discovery is even more important because suPAR is also linked to kidney disease, which affects one in seven Americans. Often, heart disease and kidney disease occur together, making patients much sicker. If doctors can control suPAR, they may be able to protect both the heart and the kidneys at the same time.
The study, led by Dr. Salim Hayek and his team, was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Experts believe this marks the beginning of a new chapter in the fight against two of the most dangerous health problems in the world.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about root cause of heart rhythm disorders and Warning signal from the kidneys can predict future heart failure risk.
For more about heart health, please read studies about a surprising link between alcohol drinking and heart health and both blood pressure numbers can predict heart disease risk.
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