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Research indicates that a low-cost and uncomplicated blood test may be able to detect individuals who are most likely to succumb to heart failure.
According to the research, individuals with elevated amounts of a particular protein had a 50% greater chance of succumbing to a heart issue within the three-year duration of the study, in contrast to those with lower levels.
Specialists propose that performing a test for the presence of neuropeptide Y (NPY) may aid in forecasting the potential progression of heart failure.
Our objective is to ultimately improve the lives of the growing number of individuals suffering from the disabling symptoms of heart failure on a daily basis.
It is expected that within the next five years, researchers will develop a blood test that can assist in determining appropriate treatment for individuals with heart failure.
Professor Neil Herring, a specialist in cardiovascular medicine and a consultant cardiologist at the University of Oxford, remarked that the results of this study are a thrilling advancement, which builds on more than a decade of works done together on this tension hormone.
“Our research aims to ultimately aid the growing number of patients who suffer from the debilitating symptoms of heart failure on a daily basis.”
“In the following step, we will examine if detecting extremely elevated levels of neuropeptide Y can impact the timely administration of life-saving treatments such as ICDs, prior to the introduction of a blood test within five years.”
Heart failure is the result of inadequate pumping of blood throughout the body by the heart.
This can result in regular trips to the hospital and a decrease in overall well-being, with no known cure at present.
There are over one million individuals currently estimated to have heart failure in the United Kingdom, with approximately 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
During times of intense stress, nerves within the heart release neuropeptide Y (NPY).
This can initiate potentially hazardous heart rhythms and lead to constriction of the tiniest blood vessels in the heart, resulting in increased strain on the heart and constriction of vessels supplying blood to the heart.
The research utilized data from over 800 individuals at various stages of heart failure and measured their levels of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), a hormone commonly used for diagnosing heart failure.
The participants’ blood pressure and echocardiograms, which are heart scans that use ultrasound, were also measured at regular intervals during the study.
The research discovered that individuals with elevated levels of NPY, comprising approximately one third of the sample, had a 50% increased chance of death within the three-year monitoring period due to a heart issue, in comparison to those with lower levels.
Researchers propose that incorporating NPY measurements with BNP could aid in the diagnosis of heart failure patients, specifically identifying those who have a greater likelihood of mortality.
Detecting individuals with the highest risk in the early stages can assist physicians in determining the most effective treatment plan for their patients. This can also aid in identifying those who could potentially benefit from receiving a life-saving implant.
The team has the aspiration that a blood examination for NPY may be implemented in medical centers in the next five years.
The British Heart Foundation’s chief scientific and medical officer, Professor Bryan Williams, stated that recent research suggests a cost-effective and straightforward blood test may be able to assist in identifying heart failure patients at a greater risk of premature death.
“By investing in life-saving research, we are able to push the limits and guarantee that those with heart failure receive optimal and fitting treatment, enabling them to live better lives.”
Funded by the British Heart Foundation, the study published in European Journal of Heart Failure, was conducted in collaboration with Professor Pardeep Jhund at the University of Glasgow.
In the future, the scientists plan to conduct more extensive experiments using information collected from individuals with extremely elevated levels of NPY in order to determine if it can effectively pinpoint those who could benefit from receiving a potentially life-saving implant.
Source: independent.co.uk
