Heart disease is one of the main causes of death in Western countries. A common type of heart disease is atherosclerosis.
This happens when plaque builds up inside the arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
Plaque is made of cholesterol, fats, calcium, and other materials. As it builds up, it narrows the arteries and makes it harder for blood to flow. This can lead to heart attacks or strokes.
For a long time, scientists believed that high cholesterol was the main reason for plaque buildup. This idea is called the Cholesterol Hypothesis. It suggests that too much cholesterol in the blood causes it to stick to artery walls and form blockages.
But new research from New York University shows there might be more going on. The study found that tiny blood cells called platelets could also play a major role in heart disease. Platelets are mostly known for their job in stopping bleeding. When you get a cut, platelets clump together to form a clot and seal the wound.
However, this study showed that platelets also take part in inflammation, which is the body’s response to injury or infection. Inflammation is now known to be an important part of how plaque forms in the arteries.
When platelets are activated, they release chemicals that attract white blood cells to the area. These white blood cells, called leukocytes, move toward the inflamed area and stick to the artery walls. They can even go inside the walls, making the inflammation worse.
The researchers also looked at a protein called SOCS3. This protein seems to be affected by platelets and plays a part in how inflammation happens in certain white blood cells. These cells are called myeloid cells. SOCS3 helps speed up plaque formation, even when there are no blood clots.
This means that platelets can make heart disease worse not just by forming clots, but also by causing inflammation in the arteries. That’s a new way of understanding how heart disease works.
The researchers studied real patients as well. They found that women who had heart attacks had more SOCS3 protein and more clusters of platelets and white blood cells.
Another group of people with artery disease in their legs had more SOCS3, more active platelets, and signs of inflammation. This shows a strong connection between inflammation caused by platelets and heart disease.
These findings may change the way we think about treating heart disease. Until now, most treatments focused on lowering cholesterol. But if platelets and inflammation also cause damage, then future treatments might need to target those too.
For now, people who are at risk of heart disease should continue to follow healthy habits. Eating well, exercising, reducing stress, and following your doctor’s advice can help manage both cholesterol and inflammation. Understanding the full picture, including the role of platelets, could lead to better ways to prevent and treat heart disease in the future.
If you care about health, please read studies about the benefits of low-dose lithium supplements, and what we know about egg intake and heart disease.
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