Heart-attack victims may be able to prevent themselves from suffering further seizures by taking substances which help the production of new blood vessels, scientists believe.
A team at the University of Hong Kong announced yesterday it was carrying out a research project on how certain enzymes help prevent fatal complications after a person suffers a first heart attack.
Honorary clinical professor Dr Yu Cheuk-man, who presented the team's initial findings yesterday, said: 'After a heart attack, the ongoing shortage of oxygen supply, or a process known as ischaemia, in the heart muscles is the main cause of subsequent morbidity and mortality.'
The formation of new blood vessels in heart muscles, however, improves oxygen and nutrient supply and prevents further complications.
The team has discovered that oral consumption of L-Arginine, an amino acid, increases new blood vessel formation in the hearts of laboratory rats.
The medical community so far had little understanding about the mechanism of new vessel formation in the heart, Dr Yu said. 'This project is the first of its kind in the world. If L-Arginine is proven to be effective in heart attacks, it will be a highly cost-effective 'drug', free of side effects.'
