There is a protein in everyone’s body that helps us heal when we cut ourselves or injury a muscle. This protein called fibronectin-EDA (FN-EDA) has been identified as contributing to a slowing of repair after a heart attack however, or remodeling, which can lead to more serious attacks and death.
Remodeling is defined as alteration in the structure (dimensions, mass, shape) and function of the heart in response to hemodynamic load and/or cardiac injury in association with neurohormonal activation. Remodeling may be described as physiologic or pathologic and may be classified as adaptive or maladaptive.
The remodeling process frequently includes increases in myocardial mass. The heart can respond to environmental stimuli by growth (increased myocardial mass) or shrinkage (atrophy) with a dynamic range of at least 100%. Myocardial hypertrophy is most properly defined as increased cardiomyocyte size which may occur with or without an increase in overall myocardial mass; however, the term “hypertrophy” has also been used to denote increased myocardial mass and/or wall thickness.
Researchers in the new study compared the effect of heart attacks in two groups of mice. One group was genetically engineered to lack FN-EDA and the other group was genetically normal.
After inducing a heart attack, the team found that the hearts of mice lacking FN-EDA had fewer enlargements in the left ventricle, better pumping ability and less thickening of the heart muscle compared to the control mice.
Many different medicines are used to treat and prevent heart attacks. Nitroglycerin helps reduce chest pain. You may also receive strong medicines to relieve pain.
Antiplatelet medicines help prevent clots from forming. Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug. Another one is clopidogrel (Plavix). Always talk to your health care provider before stopping either of these drugs.
Researchers suggest these findings hold potential for therapies to reduce or prevent heart muscle damage after a heart attack.
For the best possible recovery after a heart attack, one should start a cardiac rehabilitation program. These programs can vary but usually include an exercise regime devised by a physiotherapist, along with advice on relaxation, lifestyle modification and treatment choices. A cardiac rehabilitation program should ideally begin when a person is admitted to hospital and continue after a person leaves.
After a heart attack, one may need to take medicines regularly for a long time. A doctor may prescribe a low daily dose of aspirin (around 75mg). Other medicines you may be prescribed include statins (simvastatin), ACE inhibitors (ramipril), beta-blockers (bisoprolol) and thienopyridines (clopidogrel).
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Written by Sy Kraft, B.A.