Protective proteins reduce damage to blood vessels
Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 19:21
in Health & Medicine
Proteins found in our blood can reduce damage caused to blood vessels as we age, and in conditions such as atherosclerosis and arthritis, new research finds. Calcification is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Blood vessels can harden as calcium phosphate (CaP) crystals, normally found in bones and teeth, build up in soft tissue as we age or as a result of illness. This can lead to complications in patients with atherosclerosis, a major cause of death whereby arteries thicken and are at risk of becoming blocked.