Your body's liver secretes a protein into your blood during the blood filtration process, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Abnormal levels of this protein, however, might be linked to heart disease or other cardiac conditions. To learn more about your risk of developing heart disease as a result of liver protein abnormalities, speak to your doctor or a liver specialist.
Causes
According to the University of Michigan Health System, your liver produces the protein CREBH, which is a transcription factor that turns on the activity of specific genes in liver cells. This protein is secreted as a direct inflammatory response in the liver and might lead to the development of coronary artery disease. As the university study suggests, CREBH regulates production of another protein that's found to be in high concentrations in heart attack patients.
Considerations
An "inflammatory response" or "inflammation" is the process by which the body responds to injury or an infection, according to the American Heart Association. The AHA also suggests that inflammation linked to the production of CREBH in the blood might increase your risk of developing hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. Inflammatory markers and tests are used in hospitals to determine a patient's risk of developing heart disease linked to liver protein secretion, according to the AHA.
Risks
As the University of Michigan Health System states, the liver protein CREBH is also linked to the production of apliopprotein B (ApoB), which is a blood protein that has been linked to the buildup of waxy fats and cholesterol in the coronary arteries, which can lead to heart attack. Because the production of CREBH is genetically linked, you should speak to your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease.
Prevention/Solution
Early detection is vital to helping prevent heart disease. Genetics, family history, lifestyle, and diet can all contribute to the development of cardiac problems. Regular doctor visits for patients who are genetically predisposed to liver inflammatory response are needed to track health risks. In some cases, medication might be prescribed by your doctor to control liver protein secretion responses.
Misconceptions
Your liver will naturally secrete the protein CREBH in the presence of inflammation, regardless of your genetic makeup or family health history. Excessive secretion is the main risk factor associated with the development of heart disease, however further research is needed to substantiate these claims across similar patient cases.
