Hope: A vaccine administered by injection or nasal spray that could prevent heart attacks could be available in the next five years
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in the prevention of heart attacks after developing a vaccine that dramatically reduces fat in the arteries.
The drug, which can be administered by injection or nasal spray, could be available within five years.
Current treatment involves medication that reduces cholesterol and blood pressure.
But the study by Lund University in Sweden is the first which has targeted the underlying cause of heart disease.
Prof Peter Weissberg, the British Heart Foundation medical director, said the vaccine was 'very promising'.
Fatty deposits can place great strain on the heart by narrowing the arteries and forcing it to pump far harder.
This treatment works by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies which tackle this build-up.
In tests on mice, researchers found that it could reduce plaque by 60 to 70 per cent, it was reported in the Daily Telegraph.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2123490/Heart-attack-breakthrough-Vaccine-years.html#ixzz1qtdJNYll
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