Repairing the heart one cell at a time

Published: January, 2008

Flexible stem cells offer promise for regenerating damaged heart muscle.

The heart has many talents. It beats with great regularity millions of times a month. It speeds and slows in response to the body's need for oxygen. It even "talks" to the kidneys and other organs. One talent the heart doesn't have is the ability to repair itself after an injury. The damage from a heart attack is usually permanent, one reason why heart failure often follows.

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