Earlier, researchers were confused as to why most of overweight people are able to survive longer after a heart attack than a person having a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI).

But now, a new research project has an answer: being obese could increase survival after heart attack as excess fat helps fight heart disease.

The study researchers collected tissues from patients undergoing heart surgery. Upon assessment, it was found that fat surrounding damaged blood vessels releases chemicals that fight heart disease. The chemicals were found to be anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant.

Study’s lead researcher Professor Charalambos Antoniades said that in their study they have revealed how the heart and the arteries supply blood to it. It has been found that an SOS is sent to the fat surrounding these tissues so that a defence mechanism against coronary heart disease can be started.

During oxidative stress, fat present around the vessels and heart releases chemicals that reduces the stress and also, help prevent the development of coronary heart disease.

“Fat has a bad reputation but we’re learning more and more about how and why certain types of fat in the body are actually essential for good heart health”, said Antoniades. Now, the research team is looking how things can be changed if the fat is unhealthy.

Still, lot is there to be known and researchers are yet to know how actually heart disease develops.