Why researchers are turning to gene therapy to treat heart failure

Single jab could reduce risk of heart attack for some but wider benefit is yet to be proven

• Gene therapy startup plans to slash heart attack risk with jab

The rise in life expectancy in Britain from 2001 to 2016 was largely driven by better medical care of heart attack patients. People are now more likely to survive heart attacks and live instead with heart failure, where the organ is weakened but limps on, even if severely underpowered.

But the improved survival rates for heart attack patients have levelled off since 2016, leaving doctors desperate for fresh approaches to fight cardiovascular disease. Even though 80% of heart attacks can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle, UK hospitals still deal with about 100,000 cases every year.