Hope for heart attack diabetics

A DRUG used to treat iron deficiency could prevent heart failure in diabetes patients, British researchers have found.

The pill, molidustat, increased levels of a protein that triggers the growth of new, healthy heart cells, and was effective for preventing heart failure in diabetic animals that suffered heart attacks.

Diabetics are at increased risk of heart attacks as raised blood sugar levels can strain blood vessels, affecting the supply of blood and nutrients to the heart.

But University of Oxford researchers found that exposing rats’ hearts to molidustat following a heart attack dramatically improved blood supply.

The study’s author, Dr Lisa Heather, said: ‘There are no treatments to help a diabetic heart recover after a heart attack. We’re hopeful we’ve identified a drug that can address this.’