Experimenting with gene silencing in cardiovascular medicine

Heart and circulatory diseases are responsible for a quarter of all deaths in the UK, and make up the largest single cause of premature death in deprived areas (NHS England, 2019). It is sensible, then, that the NHS Long Term Plan (NHS England, 2019), which was published last year and set out the Government's priorities and plans for the coming decade, dedicated an entire chapter to actions designed to tackle cardiovascular disease (NHS England, 2019).

By focusing on prevention through lifestyle changes, early detection and treatment, cardiac arrest recognition and training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and cardiac rehabilitation, the NHS is seeking to prevent 150 000 myocardial infarctions, strokes and cases of vascular dementia over the next 10 years (NHS England, 2019).

There are many exciting developments taking place in genetics at present. This article explores some new experimental research in gene-silencing, which will undoubtedly transform the cardiovascular treatment landscape in due course.