Antibodies may cut heart attack risk

Antibodies could protect against heart attacks, according to a study by researchers from Imperial College London. The researchers, funded by the British Heart Foundation , studied patients with high blood pressure, of whom 87 had developed coronary heart disease. They also studied a further 143 patients who had their heart arteries extensively studied using cutting edge techniques. We are one step closer to figuring out how the immune system protects from dangerous heart attacks Dr Ramzi Khamis Study author The team found patients who suffered a heart attack had much lower levels of an antibody called IgM anti MDA-LDL. Furthermore, the studies also revealed that patients with unstable fatty plaques in their arteries - which can break off and trigger a heart attack, also had lower levels of the antibody. The findings, published in the journal EBiomedicine , also revealed patients who had the highest levels of the antibody were well protected from developing dangerous plaques in their arteries - with around a 70% less chance of developing heart disease over nearly five years. The research team, who collaborated with scientists from Lund University in Sweden and Thoraxcenter in Holland, say n ot only could this finding help doctors more precisely identify patients at risk of heart attack, it also raises the possibility of using therapies that improve the immune system - such as vaccines - to reduce the risk of a heart attack.