Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have discovered that magnetic fields can effectively regulate blood flow, potentially leading to innovative treatments for cardiovascular diseases. Their theoretical study demonstrates that magnetic forces can lower blood pressure fluctuations and stabilize circulation, paving the way for advanced heart disease therapies.
How Magnetic Fields Affect Blood Flow
According to IIT Bombay’s statement, the research team used a computational framework to simulate and analyze blood flow patterns. They found that stronger magnetic fields promote smoother circulation and help maintain stable blood pressure.
“Wall shear stress (WSS), which is the force exerted by blood flow along vessel walls, plays a crucial role in vascular health,” explained Prof. Abhijeet Kumar, who led the study at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “Abnormal WSS levels can contribute to conditions like atherosclerosis. Since WSS depends on blood velocity and viscosity, magnetic fields influence these factors and help regulate blood flow.”
Potential Benefits for Cardiovascular Health
As reported by theprint, the study found that magnetic forces stabilize pressure fluctuations and blood flow across different stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels) shapes. This stabilization reduces the risk of plaque rupture, a major cause of heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, controlled blood pressure and reduced arterial wall stress can prevent long-term damage to blood vessels.
Beyond cardiovascular treatment, these insights could also lead to advanced drug delivery systems that use magnetic fields to direct medications precisely to target areas.
Challenges in Practical Implementation
Despite these promising findings, Prof. Kumar cautioned that translating this research into real-world treatments remains challenging. Magnetic fields interact with biological tissues in complex ways, affecting cellular structures, blood viscosity, and vessel walls.
“Developing practical treatments will require extensive research, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals,” he noted. “It may take several years before such therapies become widely available.”
Nonetheless, this breakthrough lays the foundation for future medical advancements, potentially transforming how cardiovascular diseases are treated.