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January 12, 2006: A new blood
test could help predict the risk of heart failure
or a stroke. The research finding may now allow
doctors to take action to help prolong a patient's
life, say reports.
The new blood test could reveal whether a patient
with angina, swelling or a weak heart is at a
greater risk of a heart attack or failure than
previously believed. According to researchers, the
test would help patients with coronary heart
disease. It has been found that coronary heart
disease is top slot killer around the globe.
Scientists at the University of California
developed the new test. It is said to detect
presence of the protein, known as NT-proBNP. The
protein is present in the blood when the body is
produding high levels of the hormone BNP, which it
does when the heart is stretched or stressed.
The development of the blood test came after a
study of 987 men and women found that those with
higher levels of a certain protein were more
likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or heart
failure, and were at a greater risk of dying.
According to researcherswhen the heart wall is
over-expanded by too much blood volume, or damaged
by lack of blood flow to the heart itself, BNP
goes up and NT-proBNP along with it.
The research was such that patients were studied
for an average of just over three-and-a-half years
each, and 256 died or had a cardiovascular event,
such as a heart attack or stroke, during the
period. Those with the highest levels of the
protein were almost eight times more at risk of
having a cardiovascular event or dying than those
with the lowest levels.
The test, carried out on people with known a heart
disease, would help identify patients suitable for
more aggressive therapy, such as increased doses
of medicines, and help doctors prioritise
treatment between different patients. The new
blood test is believed to become a valuable tool
for identifying an individual's risk of having a
stroke.
BY OUR PHARMA CORRESPONDENT
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