Published in Nature Cardiovascular Research, the study is one of the first to track the activity of genes at different points in the regeneration process.
The scientists also found that a protein called Midkine can repair damaged blood vessels and may help improve recovery after heart attacks.
Getting to the heart of the matter
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for a third of deaths worldwide. In Singapore, about 22 people die from heart disease every day.