Oral cancer can be detected using saliva.
But, as an Australian research team recently discovered, saliva can also provide information about possible heart failure. Key here: new biomarker S100A7. Heart failure patients have twice as much of it in their saliva as healthy people.
The team developed a protein detector which the biomarker could attach itself to, thus making itself visible. Tests with the new protein delivered 81% accuracy in diagnosing heart failure. And an 82% rating in recognising healthy hearts.
The saliva test would be particularly useful in remote areas or in places where echocardiography or blood tests are lacking.
Dissolvable mini pacemakers could treat newborns with congenital heart defects. One day, heart muscles may even be repaired.
