Replies

Exercise has been found to grow new collaterals that supply blood to the heart. I have had two CABG operations 10 yrs apart. Both times was told by the surgeons that my collaterals most likely saved my life since the regular arteries were so clogged. So as someone who basically was a couch potato (and computer addict) I now set aside time for a good walk everyday....and I do believe this is what saved me 3 yrs ago when having a heart attack (yes my body is a mess). My genes are bad so gotta find something to override that somewhat..for me it’s exercise............

Nature already does this. Not often, I’m told by my cardiologist, but occasionally.
I had a heart attack in 1989. It left me with a circular section of scar tissue on my heart that was not quite 2 inches in diameter. They monitored it via PET scans, angiograms and something called MUGAs for several years and by 1995 the scar tissue had been completely replaced by new viable beating muscle. After watching it for an another 2 years, the cardiologists declared my heart to be in pre-heart-attacked condition. My heart has repaired itself, new blood vessels feed the new tissue and the old clotted and damaged coronary blood vessels have atrophied back to virtual non-existence.

I think it’s just genes.

From the viewpoint of genetics and possibly epigenetics your medical history makes you a person of great interest to researchers in regenerative medicine. A cardiac biopsy would be ideal, IMHO, but a blood sample or cotton swab from the inside of your cheek might do for now. I'm pretty sure folks at the Broad Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, among others, would love to hear from you. They may make it worth your time.

If yor're interested in regenerative medicine, then check the NY Times article linked in comment# 1.