Bilirubin, a bile pigment normally associated with jaundice, has been found to reduce damage and improve heart function during recovery from heart attacks.

A pigment found in bile may be the defensive system needed for people recovering from heart attacks.

Bilirubin, a bile pigment normally associated with jaundice, has been found to reduce damage and improve heart function during recovery from cardiac arrests, according to a new study.

Dr Andrew Bulmer, from Griffith University's Menzies Health Institute Queensland, said the study was significant as "very few drugs are able to be administered following a heart attack to improve heart function".

There are approximately 50,000 heart attack sufferers in Australia a year, with a 20 per cent mortality rate, Dr Bulmer says.

Slightly elevated levels of bilirubin appear to be beneficial, naturally protecting an individual from cardiovascular disease and also helping to reduce inflammation, which can lead to kidney disease and diabetes.

Dr Bulmer said the findings could have positive implications for reducing health risks and improving life expectancy.