Heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes, is still the number one cause of death in the United States.
For many years, doctors have used medications like aspirin and statins to lower blood pressure, control cholesterol, and manage diabetes. These treatments have saved many lives. But despite these efforts, millions of people still die from heart disease every year.
Now, researchers at the University of Michigan have found something new that could help explain why heart disease is so hard to treat. They’ve discovered that a protein called suPAR may be a big part of the problem—and possibly the key to better treatments in the future.
suPAR stands for soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor. It’s a protein made by bone marrow and helps control the immune system. Think of it like a thermostat for immune responses. When suPAR levels are normal, everything runs smoothly. But when suPAR levels get too high, it can lead to inflammation and damage in the body.
One of the problems linked to high suPAR levels is a condition called atherosclerosis. This is when the arteries become hard and narrow because of plaque buildup. It blocks blood flow and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The University of Michigan study looked at information from thousands of people. First, they studied over 5,000 people who didn’t have heart disease. They found that those with higher suPAR levels were more likely to develop heart disease later—even if their cholesterol and blood pressure were normal.
Then, they looked at the genes of 24,000 people and found a gene variant that causes higher suPAR levels. They confirmed this connection by looking at data from a much larger group of 500,000 people. The results showed that people with this gene variant were more likely to develop atherosclerosis.
The researchers also did lab tests on mice. They found that mice with high suPAR levels developed more plaque in their arteries than mice with normal suPAR levels. This shows that suPAR isn’t just a marker—it may actually cause heart disease.
What makes this study special is that it uses clinical data, genetics, and lab experiments to show the same result: suPAR is linked to heart disease. Current treatments, like statins, don’t affect suPAR, so this opens the door to new kinds of therapy.
Researchers are now working on ways to safely lower suPAR levels. If they succeed, it could help many people—especially those who don’t benefit much from current treatments.
The study also showed that suPAR is linked to kidney disease. In the U.S., 1 in 7 people have kidney disease, and many of them also have heart disease. About two-thirds of people with kidney problems also have heart problems. And over 40% of people with heart disease also have kidney issues. This shows how the body’s systems are connected.
The research, led by Dr. Salim Hayek and published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, gives new hope in the fight against heart disease. By focusing on suPAR, scientists may be able to create better treatments that protect both the heart and kidneys. This could be a big step forward in helping millions of people live longer, healthier lives.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about how to remove plaques that cause heart attacks, and results showing a new way to prevent heart attacks, strokes.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
