Improve cardiovascular health through ear plugs

Researchers at the University of Leeds (UK) have found that the application of electrical stimulation to the ear canal (a small part protruding in front of the ear) can help regulate the heart rate and prevent it from working too. level.

In the study, neuroleptics (TENS) - a technique that blocks pain signals transmitted to the brain by applying a small current through the skin. They applied TENS to the ears of 34 volunteers several times at intervals of 15 minutes to activate the vagal nerve - which plays a major role in regulating vital organs of the body, including the heart .

Accordingly, by transmitting electrical signals through the ear to the brain, the team was able to influence the neural signals affecting the heart rate, namely, a 20% increase in heart rate - a factor Beneficial for heart failure patients.

In addition, the calcaneal crest is also found to help control about 50% of the sympathetic nervous system, which in turn improves heart function. According to lead researcher Dr. Jennifer Clancy, this is important because people with heart disease or heart failure often increase sympathetic activity, forcing the heart to work more, causing arterial spasm, heart damage.

With these positive results, the team plans to conduct a preclinical study in patients with heart failure.