Tick saliva could help weak hearts

THE saliva of ticks could help treat a heart condition, scientists have said.

It contains the anti-inflammatory protein evasin, which is what helps ticks suck blood without being noticed.

Evasin could be used to prevent myocarditis, a potentially deadly inflammation of the heart that affects 3,000 in the UK every year, the researchers said.

The protein, which can be grown synthetically in a lab, might also be useful for heart attack and stroke patients, the study published in the journal Scientific Reports found.