MAGNETIC FIELDS HAVE REVOLUTIONARY BENEFIT IN CLOGGED ARTERIES

A recent study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) showed that magnetic fields can effectively manipulate blood flow, making blood flow faster or slower depending on field direction.

According to a concerning WHO report, ischemic heart disease ranked as the leading cause of death among Indians in 2021, second only to COVID-19. This condition occurs when plaque—composed of cholesterol, lipoprotein, and calcium—accumulates in coronary arteries, restricting blood flow and increasing blood pressure. These restrictions can lead to serious cardiovascular conditions including hypertension and heart attacks.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have discovered that magnetic fields can effectively manipulate blood flow in arteries, potentially offering new treatment approaches for heart disease. Their study demonstrated that magnetic fields can accelerate or decelerate blood flow depending on the direction of the field applied.

This breakthrough research used computerized simulations to analyze blood flow patterns, examining critical factors such as velocity, pressure, and wall shear stress within arterial walls. The findings suggest promising applications for magnet-based treatments and could inform the development of sophisticated drug delivery systems for cardiovascular conditions.

“Wall shear stress (WSS) is the force per unit area exerted by the blood flow along the inner walls of blood vessels. It is a critical factor in vascular health, as abnormal WSS can contribute to the development of diseases like atherosclerosis. WSS is influenced by the blood's velocity and viscosity along the vessel walls”, says Prof. Abhijeet Kumar, who led the study at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay.

Researchers created a numerical model to investigate how magnetic fields affect blood flow in narrowed arteries. Their comprehensive approach employed mathematical equations to analyze the interaction between magnetic fields and iron-rich hemoglobin in blood. The study utilized Navier-Stokes equations to calculate blood motion, Maxwell’s equation for electromagnetic field analysis, and the Carreau-Yasuda Model to track blood viscosity and flow characteristics.

The investigation examined various arterial blockage scenarios: mild (25% blocked), moderate (35% blocked), and severe (50% blocked), across different blockage shapes—evenly narrowed (axisymmetric), off-center (eccentric), asymmetric, and sharp-edged. Results showed that axisymmetric and sharp-edged blockages created the most significant pressure fluctuations and flow disruptions. Importantly, magnetic fields applied parallel to blood flow increased flow speed, while perpendicular fields decreased it.

Computational simulations revealed substantial improvements in blood flow with magnetic field application: approximately 17% in mildly blocked arteries, 30% in moderately blocked arteries, and 60% in severely blocked arteries. Stronger magnetic fields produced smoother blood flow patterns. When aligned with blood flow direction, magnetic fields reduced pressure near blockages in severely stenotic arteries, potentially decreasing the risk of plaque rupture by minimizing shear stress and stabilizing pressure fluctuations across all stenosis shapes.

These findings offer promising implications for hypertension treatment by demonstrating how magnetic fields can effectively influence blood flow, pressure, and wall shear stress—potentially controlling high blood pressure and preventing arterial wall damage. The research emphasizes the potential role of magnets in cardiovascular therapies and patient care, while also suggesting possibilities for developing innovative magnet-based drug delivery systems.

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