Scientists show heart can repair itself, with help

LONDON: British scientists have managed to transform one type of stem cells in adult mouse heart muscle function in cardiac research shows that the heart has sleeper cells repair that can be reactivated.

Although research has not yet been translated to humans and is in its infancy, the results suggest that in the future, a drug could be developed to prompt and hearts damaged by Prime cardiac arrest self-repair.

"I could not consider a patient known to be at risk of heart attack by taking an oral tablet ... what their heart of premium so that if they had a heart attack damage can be repaired, "said Paul Riley, University College London, who led the study.

Major advances in medical science in recent years have helped reduce the number of people who die from heart attacks, but damage from an attack causes - when cells die when they are deprived of oxygen - is currently stable.

If enough forms to dead tissue, patients may develop heart failure, a debilitating disease in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood around the body.

Scientists worldwide are studying various ways to regenerate heart tissue, but for now people with severe heart failure should use mechanical devices or hope for a transplant.

Riley team, whose study was published in the journal Nature Wednesday particular target cells in the outer layer of the heart, called the epicardium.