Health
Human heart can generate new muscle after attacks, study finds
ScienceDaily reports that Australian researchers found living heart tissue creates muscle cells following cardiac events, though current regeneration remains limited.
The short version
- Researchers from the University of Sydney, the Baird Institute, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital observed new muscle cell production in human hearts after attacks.[ScienceDaily]
- The findings mark the first time increased cardiac cell division has been demonstrated in humans rather than mice.[ScienceDaily]
- Lead author Dr. Robert Hume noted the natural cell growth is currently insufficient to stop heart attack damage.[ScienceDaily]
- Professor Sean Lal stated the ultimate goal is applying the discovery to generate new cells that reverse heart failure.[ScienceDaily]
Key facts
- Researchers discovered the human heart can produce new muscle cells after a heart attack, as published in Circulation Research.[ScienceDaily]
- The study utilized heart tissue collected from living patients during bypass surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.[ScienceDaily]
- This marks the first demonstration of post-attack cardiac cell division in humans following earlier observations in mice.[ScienceDaily]
- Cardiovascular disease causes almost 24 percent of deaths in Australia, where approximately 144,000 individuals live with heart failure.[ScienceDaily]
What remains uncertain
- The natural regenerative response observed in the heart is currently not strong enough to prevent the severe impacts of a heart attack.[ScienceDaily]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Scientists discover the human heart can regrow muscle after a heart attackScienceDaily - Health