Mumbai: In a country where ischemic heart disease remains a leading cause of death, scientists at IIT Bombay may have found a novel approach to improving cardiovascular health: Magnets.
A recent study reveals magnetic fields can influence blood flow, offering a potential breakthrough to treat blocked arteries and hypertension. The research, led by Prof Abhijeet Kumar at IITB’s department of mechanical engineering, used computational models to simulate how magnetic fields interact with iron-rich haemoglobin. Their findings suggest that adjusting the field’s orientation can either accelerate or slow blood flow, offering new possibilities for non-invasive treatment. The study analysed arterial blockages from mild (25% blocked) to severe (50%). Results showed when the magnetic field was applied parallel to blood flow, speed increased by 17% in mildly blocked arteries, 30% in moderate and 60% in severe.tnn