Glowing Probe can detect Heart Diseases Earlier by Angela Mohan on May 6, 2021 at 9:56 AM They study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society was funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), for creating rapid tests for cardiovascular problems and a new way to track long-term conditions. Intraplaque haemorrhages (IPHs) can occur during atherosclerosis when portions of the plaque break away from the artery walls. They can form more vulnerable plaques and blood clots, restricting blood flow to the heart and the brain and potentially leading to chronic diseases or catastrophic events like strokes. Detecting IPHs provide a warning system and allow early diagnosis of vascular conditions. The research team designed a chemical probe that can detect rises in levels of an enzyme that accompanies IPHs and even plaque instabilities that precede IPHs.