Recently, a study from the University of Connecticut made a big step forward in the fight for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study found the eliminating the protein TRPM2 in mice drastically reduced damage done to the body by cardiovascular disease.
Macrophages act as a sort of cleaning crew in blood vessels. They travel through the body along with the bloodstream and remove fat from the blood. However, the more fat that is removed, the more that blood vessels harden, causing a condition called atherosclerosis. This hardening of blood vessels makes people more prone to cardiovascular disease and greatly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
But in mice models, when the TRPM2 protein is deleted from mice, the phenomenon of macrophages hardening blood vessels diminishes in severity, and with it, the likelihood of mice developing heart disease is reduced in a very noticeable way. Macrophages provide a benefit to the body, but over time, they have a tendency to increase inflammation. For those that have fat in their blood for long periods of time, the positive service that macrophages provide begins to be diminished and the risk of heart issues increases.
The team published their findings in the journal, Nature Cardiovascular Research. And while this was just a first step and not conducted on humans, it is a positive finding for the medical community as a whole. Hopefully, this leads to much more progress in the fight against cardiovascular disease moving forward. This research was partially funded by the American Heart Association.
At the end of the day, cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer in the United States. It is one of the biggest risks that adults face, and not just elderly adults. Taking steps to understand it and then acting on that understanding is important to help improve the health and quality of life that the people we care about are experiencing. The more we can do to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, and more, the less likely our loved ones are to become disabled, pass away prematurely, or otherwise struggle as they age.
This treatment is just one piece in a larger puzzle. Things like exercise, diet, medications, and proper check ins with a medical professional all play a role in heart health, too. If you’re unsure of where to start, please have a conversation with your doctor. They will be able to give you the targeted information and advice needed for you and those that you care about to get started living a healthier life. Even with all of the vast amounts of information available out there, mostly thanks to the web, working with a trained professional is still the best way to approach complex health issues. They can help you to take the right steps for your unique situation.
Working with a senior care service is similar. There’s a lot of different services out there, but care is at its best when it’s targeted to your unique situation.
We’re here for you if you have any questions or need help. One of our highly trained professionals would be happy to sit down with you and discuss how in-home care can help keep your loved one active and in control of their aging. Reach out today to schedule a time for your free consultation and get started with finding the ideal, individualized care for your family.
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