New medical developments could help people who suffer from a heart attack, and it relies on stem cells from a patient's own heart.

Just a few weeks ago Anthony Lincoln suffered a heart attack. "So, I called the ambulance and in fact I was having a heart attack," Lincoln said. The 62-year old is watching the research going on at a UC San Francisco Medical Center with intense interest.

Researchers believe they have found a way to take stem cells from the patient's own heart and use them to help improve their heart function after they have had a heart attack. So far, tests conducted in mice are promising. "We see more improvement in their heart function, we see more blood vessels forming and much less damage to the heart," said Dr. Yeghiazarians.

Doctors have already taken heart stem cells from five human patients to learn more about the technique. If the research goes well, clinical studies where stem cells will be re-injected back into a patient's heart will likely begin next year.

While Lincoln may not personally be a good candidate for the procedure, he supports the research. "I think it can save a lot of lives and open a lot of doors for people like myself that had a heart attack and possibly could have another," said Lincoln.

These new studies show a more promising view of the future for fellow heart attack survivors.

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Information courtesy of NBC News.