A saliva test developed by Australian researchers could replace blood tests for heart failure. A simple method that can be used at home.
Australian researchers will develop a saliva test to detect heart failure. They hope their quick and easy method will replace what they say are ineffective blood tests. A project which is arousing interest since they have already received $75,000 from the Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant.
“The advantage of saliva is that you don’t need to train medical staff to collect the samples,” notes Prof. Chamindie Punyadeera, project manager and professor at Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane, Australia). You can monitor your heart health at home with non-invasive technology. »
Improve tracking
In a saliva sample, the test will look for the presence of a specific protein called Galectin-3. If this protein biomarker is detected, it means that heart failure has set in and the individual needs special medical supervision.
“By using an e-health system, patients could even send their results to their doctor by email. He could then advise them to increase the doses of medication or to make an appointment with a cardiologist,” explains Professor Chamindie Punyadeera.
In France, one million people suffer from heart failure. In these patients, the heart can no longer meet the body’s blood requirements. The causes are multiple: obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, history of heart attacks or family history of heart failure.
Disabling pathology
“She’s a silent killer because at first she’s asymptomatic and people ignore her. However, heart failure can become fatal,” warns the researcher.
As the disease sets in, the quality of life of patients decreases considerably. They cannot walk long distances, have swollen legs and are prone to venous ulcers. They can also be victims of kidney damage.
For researchers, it is very important to identify patients before they need to be hospitalized. Trials testing the effectiveness of their method should be launched very soon.
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