The deadly spider venom could save the victims of a heart attack



[ad_1]

The deadly spider venom could save the victims of a heart attack

spider web funnel

NORRIE3699 / iStock

A deadly spider can actually save life through a medical breakthrough in Australia in which researchers have discovered that the venom of a funneled spider could be used to help people with heart attacks.

Research is a by-product of previous studies conducted by scientists led by Professor Glenn King of the University of Queensland explains how deadly spider venom can be used for good. Scientists using spider venom have discovered a molecule capable of avoiding brain damage during an attack. Scientists have now been able to isolate this molecule and transform themselves into drug treatment.

RELATED: SCIENTISTS DISCOVER NEW CELL HEARING HEARTS

Spider venom prevents death of heart muscle cells

"It prevents the death of the heart muscle cells. So, even in patients who survive a heart attack or cardiac arrest, they end up having a pretty damaged heart, a part that will not grow back, "said Professor King in a recent report. . "We found that it worked for stroke, so we asked if it would work for ischemic events in the heart and now that we show that it protects the heart, the question is whether it's useful to prevent ischemic events in other organs?

King noted that clinical trials of the drug could begin in about two years. He said the drug could potentially double the shelf life of a human heart up to eight hours, which would be revolutionary for transplants.

Research at the University of Queensland will be welcome, given the huge problem of heart disease and heart attacks. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease, including heart or blood vessel disease, is the leading cause of death in the world, more people die from CVD than any other cause. In 2016 alone, 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular disease, accounting for 31% of all deaths worldwide. Of these, 85% are due to heart attack and stroke.

New research revolutionizes conventional wisdom

Researchers at the University of Queensland are not alone in helping people avoid heart attacks or recover from them. Last week, a study was published. It has shown that systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings can be used to predict the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients. This goes against conventional wisdom that only high systolic blood pressure is an indicator of a heart attack. Kaiser Permanente's study looked at 36 million blood pressure readings in more than one million patients.

[ad_2]
Source link