In a study conducted at York University, scientists came to the astonishing conclusion that beta blockers could protect against heart failure. This was one of the latest discoveries in a field with endless treatments managing symptoms though previously damage sustained to the heart can’t be revered. Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump an adequate amount of blood and could be the result of various conditions such as birth defects or heart attacks.

Beta blockers are a common drug used for patients with hypertension and in some cases for heart diseases. Mouse models of heart failure were used to assess the RNA in the mice’s heart cells. Genetic changes in heart failure were identified after which they assessed these alterations after the mice were given beta blockers.

According to John McDermott (lead researcher) they found that beta blockers were mostly able to reverse the pathological pattern of gene expression seen in heart failure. Additional research is required to understand how specific genes function in the heart but McDermott is of the opinion that reversing or deterring genetic changes could in some way have a protective effect against heart failure.

Despite treatment for heart failure being readily available (cardioventer defibrillators, lifestyle changes and drugs) mortality rates remain high since an estimated 50% of people diagnosed with heart failure will die within 5 years of being diagnosed. There seems to be progress though and earlier this year a research team at Nagoya University found that certain mice that lacked a specific protein on the heart cells’ surface seemed to be resistant to heart failure which may results in a new drug stopping further degeneration.

The York University team is currently conducting more research.