“Brain Signals May Worsen Heart Attack Damage, Mouse Study Finds”

A new study suggests that heart attack damage isn’t just a problem of the heart—it’s also driven by the brain. Researchers in mice have found that communication between the heart, brain, and immune system can amplify tissue damage after a heart attack.

The study, published in Cell on January 27, identifies a brain–immune circuit that worsens cardiovascular injury. Neurons in the vagus nerve relay signals from the heart to the brain, which then trigger immune responses and inflammation, causing widespread heart tissue damage. Blocking this pathway in mice improved recovery, highlighting a potential target for future therapies.

Experts Weigh In:

“The heart does not exist in isolation. The nervous system talks to the heart, the immune system talks to the heart,” says Vineet Augustine, neuroscientist at UC San Diego.

“All the heart’s functions are controlled by the nervous system,” notes Kalyanam Shivkumar, cardiologist at UCLA.

Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is blocked, damaging heart muscle and triggering cellular changes across its tissue. Augustine compares it to an earthquake: “There’s an epicenter, and then damage spreads outward. That’s when significant tissue dies.”

Signals from the heart activate the sympathetic nervous system—the body’s “fight or flight” response—which increases inflammation and impairs heart function, sometimes leading to heart failure. While scientists have long suspected the brain’s role, this study clarifies the neurons and pathways involved.

The findings point to a rethink of heart attack treatment, viewing it as a systemic event rather than a purely cardiovascular problem.