Maintaining the heart’s connection to the vagus nerve may be a key defense against cardiac aging. Researchers showed that restoring this nerve pathway can protect heart cells and preserve heart strength long term.
Researchers have identified an unexpected factor that appears to help the heart stay healthier and younger for longer: the vagus nerve. A new study coordinated by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa and published in Science Translational Medicine found that maintaining vagal nerve connections to the heart on both sides acts as a powerful defense against cardiac aging. The findings point especially to the right cardiac vagus nerve, which plays a central role in protecting heart muscle cells and supporting long-term heart health, regardless of heart rate.
Combining Medicine and Bioengineering to Study Heart Aging
The research brought together expertise from multiple scientific fields, blending experimental medicine with advanced bioengineering focused on cardiovascular health. The study was led by the Translational Critical Care Unit (TrancriLab) of the Interdisciplinary Research Center Health Science, directed by Professor Vincenzo Lionetti. A second key contribution came from the Biorobotics Institute, led by Professor Silvestro Micera, which developed a bioabsorbable nerve conduit designed to support vagal nerve regrowth.
