Two Biomarkers Can Help Diagnose Heart Condition

Around 1.6 million people in the United Kingdom are affected by the maximum common heart pace disturbance known as Atrial fibrillation. But it is frequently sensed only after a person has had a stroke. The study could cover the way towards better discovery of individuals with Atrial Fibrillation and targeted treatment. The electrical activity of our heart which is measured by an electrocardiogram also known as ECG, is usually used to curtain patients for Atrial fibrillation. According to this study, at the University of Birmingham, researchers found that two biomarkers and three clinical risk factors has a solid connection with Atrial fibrillation.

Those people at risk of the condition were older, male with high BMI. 638 hospital patients were looked by the researchers who were enlisted between the year 2014 and 2016 for severe illness. Researchers took blood samples of patients and forty cardiovascular biomarkers were looked by them. They even considered 7 clinical risk factors such as sex, age, hypertension, kidney function, body mass index, heart failure and history of stroke. All were given with an echocardiogram. The researchers found that, two biomarkers came out as a link to Atrial fibrillation.

Out of which one hormone secreted by the heart is called as brain natriuretic peptide, BNP and the secondis a protein, responsible for regulation of phosphate known as fibroblast growth factor-23. However, these people could be screened for the condition by testing their blood samples to understand if the have raised levels of the two biomarkers said the researchers. Yanish Purmah, a lead author said that, the biomarkers identified by us have the potential to be used in a blood test such as in GP practices to simplify selection of patient for electrocardiogram screening in community settings. Dr. Winnie Chua, Joint first author said that, people having atrial fibrillation are more likely to suffer from strokes and develop blood clots. So it is essential that patients having risk are screened so that they can start consuming anticoagulants to avoid possibly life-threatening complications.

Author: Hiren Sam