Fat surrounding blood cells could decrease the chances of a person having a heart attack, according to research from the University of Oxford.
The study, presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester on 8 June analysed tissue from patients who had received heart surgery. The researchers found that fat surrounding the heart and arteries can stimulate a defense mechanism during the early stages of coronary heart disease.
Professor Charalambos Antoniades, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Oxford and the study's lead author, said: 'Fat has a bad reputation but we're learning more and more about how and why certain types of fat in the body are actually essential for good heart health. These findings are an important step towards a treatment that ensures this fat stays on-side throughout our lives to help prevent heart disease.'
The researchers commented that the findings could explain why people with obesity are statistically likely to live longer than someone with a healthy BMI after a heart attack.
Another study presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference showed that music could be used as a treatment for heart disease. The study analysed the effect on heart rate of different styles of music. It found that certain genres, particularly calm, slow music, led to a drop in heart rate, which decreases blood pressure and reduces the risk of a heart attack.
Professor Peter Sleight of the University of Oxford, who presented the study, said: 'Music is already being used commercially as a calming therapy but this has happened independent of controlled studies into its effectiveness. Our research has provided improved understanding as to how music, particularly certain rhythms, can affect your heart and blood vessels. But further robust studies are needed, which could reduce scepticism of the real therapeutic role of music.'
The conference runs until 10 June.