Beat heart attacks with a new super-fast blood test

A new study by scientists at Johns Hopkins University has developed a blood test that can diagnose a heart attack in just five minutes. This achievement represents a significant leap over current methods, which can take hours to produce clear results. The study, led by researcher Peng Zheng, was published in the journal Advanced Science.

A heart attack, one of the world’s leading causes of death, occurs when blood flow to the heart is interrupted, causing heart tissue to die. Although symptoms vary in intensity, any chest pain, discomfort, or difficulty breathing may be a sign of an impending heart attack that requires emergency medical attention. However, in most cases, traditional tests such as an electrocardiogram or blood tests can take several hours to confirm a diagnosis, a crucial time for patients.

This new test uses biophotonics, a technique that uses laser light to detect biomarkers in the body. Zheng and his team were able to quickly detect the first signs of a heart attack in the patients’ blood. “Heart attacks require immediate intervention,” Zheng explained. “With this technology, we can quickly and accurately determine if someone is having a heart attack, even outside of the hospital.”

Unlike traditional methods, this blood test is not only faster, but also more accurate. Instead of repeating tests and waiting over an hour, this technology provides results in less than ten minutes, which can make a big difference for heart attack patients.

The heart of this achievement is a tiny chip with a nanostructured surface. This revolutionary technology amplifies electrical and magnetic signals, making heart attack biomarkers visible in seconds, even in minute concentrations. According to the researchers, although the test was developed for use in hospitals, it could also be adapted for use by first responders in ambulances and could even be available for private use in the future.

This discovery has implications for more than just diagnosing heart attacks. Scientists believe that with further research, the chip could be adapted to detect other diseases such as cancer or serious infections, offering faster and more accurate diagnosis of a wide range of diseases.