The process by which narrowed or hardened arteries contribute to heart attacks

Coronary heart disease stands as a leading cause of mortality in Australia, yet a recent study heralds a potential breakthrough in earlier prevention strategies.

This disease often lurks undetected until manifesting as angina or a heart attack, contributing to an alarming statistic of two CHD-related deaths per hour in 2018, totalling 48 fatalities daily. The insidious nature of CHD involves silent plaque accumulation within coronary arteries, often devoid of noticeable symptoms.

An international research collaboration unearthed 11 genes associated with arterial hardening, including eight novel genes.

Professor Jason Kovacic, from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, underscores the signifcance of comprehending these genetic mechanisms for future treatment avenues. He believes that intervening early in the progression of CHD could potentially save tens of thousands of lives annually, given its major role in precipitating heart attacks.

The hardening of coronary arteries, a result of calcium build-up within fatty plaque, unfolds over many years, leading to arterial narrowing. This constriction impairs the heart’s ability to effciently distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Moreover, a rupture in calcifed plaque can trigger a heart attack.

This ground-breaking study, encompassing 35,000 individuals, delves into the genetic foundations of coronary artery calcifcation.

Notably, it encompasses a signifcant number of participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including 8,867 of

African descent. Of the identifed genes, PHACTR1 emerges as a prominent player in both coronary artery calcifcation and SCAD heart attacks, infuencing the inner layers of heart blood vessels.

These fndings pave the way for targeted drug development or repurposing existing medications to mitigate calcifcation, potentially curbing the onset of heart disease. Such breakthroughs hold promise in combating a condition responsible for over 17 million annual global fatalities.

To safeguard against heart disease, everyday measures like maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, following a balanced diet, regular exercise, managing stress levels, and ensuring suffcient sleep become pivotal.

Awareness of family history, routine testing, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol consumption, and monitoring cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels also play vital roles in preventing heart disease. Adults, particularly those over 45 (or 30 for First Nations people), can beneft from free heart health checks.

Ensuring heart health involves simple yet impactful daily actions that collectively fortify your overall well-being and mitigate the risk of heart disease.