Saliva Test to detect heart disease

Till now a heart attack used to be the only way to tell people that they suffer from heart disease, but now as claimed by researchers from University of Texas it will be possible to diagnose heart disease by taking saliva test through Nano-bio-chip.

According to the researchers developing the advanced saliva test, the Nano-bio-chip test would be able to examine patient’s saliva on board an ambulance, at the dentist's office or at a chemist's shop, which will help saving many lives and prevent damage from cardiac disease.

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The study is conducted by researchers from Universities of Kentucky, Louisville, and University of Texas Health Science Centre. The researchers took help of recently identified blood serum proteins which act as indicators of disease associated with heart.

During the research at University Of Kentucky College Of Dentistry, 56 people who had a history of heart attack and 59 healthy participants were subjected to saliva test for 32 proteins associated with atherosclerosis; thrombosis and acute coronary syndrome.

The researchers found that proteins were higher in saliva of people with cases of heart attack and the salivary protein were as accurate in the diagnosis of heart attack as found in blood serum using current testing methods.

John McDevitt, who designed the Nano- bio-chip, said, “Many heart attack victims, especially women, experience non specific symptoms and secure medical help too late after permanent damage to the cardiac tissue has occurred. Our tests promise to dramatically improve the accuracy and speed of cardiac diagnosis.”

The researchers have claimed that the Nano-bio- chip can point out whether an individual is presently suffering from a heart attack or if such patients require immediate help. It can also predict if some people are at risk of developing the ailment in future and thus prevent the person from risk.

However a more refined study is needed to complement the result but if it fulfills all the criteria it will sure be a great help for millions who suffer from heart disease.