The elevated level of gene expression for IL-1α detected in the heart might indicate the activation of myeloid cell types, probably macrophages, which have been described as the main proinflammatory cell population in atherosclerotic plaques (Jonasson et al., 1986), and also play a crucial role in the development of heart failure (Heidt et al., 2014). The gene discussed is IL1A; the disease is heart failure.