Do you know? - Our genes store heart attack memory
Q. Memory of which disease gets stored in genes through epigenetic changes?- Published on 19 Sep 16a. Cancer
b. Jaundice
c. Heart attack
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Heart attack
Memory of a heart attack gets stored in the genes through epigenetic changes, chemical modifications of DNA that turn genes off or on according to a study.
- CVDs or cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide- these are influenced by environmental and hereditary factors
- CVD includes diseases of heart and circulation including CHD, angina, heart attack, congenital heart disease and stroke
- Study examined epigenetic changes leading to the development of numerous diseases, in people who have had a previous heart attack
- During the heart attack, the signals of the body are activating certain genes- mechanism protects the tissue during the acute stages of the disease and restores the body after the heart attack- epigenetic changes are also associated with a heart attack- according to Asa Johansson, researcher at Sweden’s Uppsala University
- Results of the study show many epigenetic changes in individuals who experienced a heart attack
- This points to the possibility of understanding heart attacks in a complete clinical picture and revolutionising treatment.
