Heart disease is one of the top causes of death in many Western countries. One of the most common forms of heart disease is a condition called atherosclerosis.
This happens when sticky plaque builds up inside the arteries, making them narrower and harder. As a result, less oxygen-rich blood can flow to the heart and other parts of the body.
Plaque is made from things like cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium, and other natural materials in the blood. Over time, this buildup can cause serious health problems, including heart attacks and strokes.
For many years, most doctors and scientists believed that high cholesterol was the main cause of this plaque. This idea is known as the Lipid Hypothesis or Cholesterol Hypothesis. It says that the more cholesterol you have in your blood, the more plaque will form in your arteries.
But now, scientists at New York University have discovered something new. They found that platelets—tiny pieces in your blood that help stop bleeding—may also play a big role in causing damage to the arteries.
Platelets are known for forming clots when you get a cut or injury. However, this study found that platelets also create inflammation, which is a big part of how atherosclerosis develops.
When platelets are activated, they release chemicals that call white blood cells to the area. These white blood cells then stick to the walls of blood vessels and move inside, which leads to more inflammation.
The researchers found a protein called SOCS3 that seems to play a big part in this process. This protein appears to be affected by platelets and is linked to faster plaque growth. SOCS3 is mostly found in white blood cells called myeloid cells.
When these cells interact with platelets, inflammation increases, and plaque builds up faster—even when there are no clots present.
Interestingly, this process is different from thrombosis, which is the clotting that usually causes heart attacks. That means platelets are not just causing clots—they are also quietly fueling the fire of inflammation inside arteries.
To back up their findings, the scientists looked at real patients. Women who had heart attacks had higher levels of SOCS3 and more clusters of white blood cells and platelets stuck together. Another group of patients with blocked leg arteries also had more SOCS3 and signs of inflammation.
This research gives us a new way of thinking about heart disease. While cholesterol is still important, the role of inflammation—especially caused by platelets—is now clearer. This could help create new treatments that target inflammation, not just cholesterol.
For people worried about heart disease, the message is this: take care of both your cholesterol and inflammation. Eating healthy food, exercising often, and managing stress are still some of the best ways to stay heart-healthy. Your doctor may also suggest medications if needed.
The study was led by Dr. Tessa Barrett and her team and was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. It adds new understanding to how heart disease works and could help shape better treatments in the future.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to cleaner arteries, and salt and heart health: does less really mean more?
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