Unlocking the Secrets of an Althelete’s Heart
The heart is an incredible organ, capable of adapting to the body’s needs in both health and disease. The Heart Muscle Group, led by Prof. Julie McMullen, is diving deep into the mysteries of heart enlargement, exploring why it can sometimes be beneficial—like in elite athletes—and at other times harmful, leading to serious conditions like heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.
Healthy Heart Growth in Athletes In elite athletes or individuals who undergo rigorous physical training, the heart adapts by growing larger, a phenomenon called physiological cardiac hypertrophy. This type of enlargement is a natural response, making the heart stronger and more efficient to support high levels of physical activity. Remarkably, when athletes scale back their training, the heart can return to its usual size without any adverse effects. This healthy adaptation demonstrates the heart’s impressive resilience and flexibility.
Harmful Heart Growth in Disease In contrast, heart enlargement due to conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease—known as pathological cardiac hypertrophy—has a much darker side. Unlike the athletic heart, the diseased heart grows in response to stress, placing an intense burden on the organ. This form of enlargement is often irreversible and strains the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, making it more susceptible to complications such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
Understanding and Targeting “Good” vs. “Bad” Heart Growth The Heart Muscle Group’s research is centered around discovering the underlying molecular differences between these two types of heart enlargement. They aim to pinpoint genes, proteins, and lipids that activate in the athletic heart, providing natural protection, and explore how these can be harnessed to improve heart health in disease. Key goals include:
- Identifying Protective Genes: The team has uncovered unique genes that only activate in healthy, exercise-induced heart growth. By studying these protective genes, they’re working to develop targeted therapies that mimic these effects in patients with heart disease.
- Gene Therapy and Small Molecule Treatments: Their research includes testing innovative treatments, from gene therapies that can potentially introduce “good” genes into the heart to small molecules that encourage healthy heart function.
- Sex Differences and Heart Communication: Their work extends to understanding how heart growth varies between men and women and how the heart communicates with other organs to protect against conditions like obesity, kidney disease, and neurological decline.
Aiming for New Treatments for Heart Failure With heart failure affecting more than 26 million people worldwide, the Heart Muscle Group’s work could have a profound impact on healthcare. Their research goes beyond simply slowing the progression of heart disease; it seeks to actively enhance the heart’s resilience, reduce complications, and offer better quality of life for patients.
The Heart Muscle Group’s pioneering work offers hope for patients worldwide, revealing how we might one day harness the heart’s natural adaptability to improve outcomes in heart disease.
