Coronary artery disease ICAD) is now the second most common of death in the United States right behind COVID. The 2020 list of causes include the following:
· COVID-19.
· Heart Disease.
· Cancer.
· Alzheimer's & Dementia.
· Stroke.
· Chronic Lower Respiratory.
· Diabetes.
· Other Respiratory Diseases.
Is it preventable, when does it start, what causes it, and how do I know I have it? These are all good questions when it comes to CAD. The condition is caused by a laying down of cholesterol plaques in the arteries. Which arteries is not predictable, but we do know that plaque is being produced even starting at age 10, mostly due to diet? Obviously, age 10 children have no sequalae from plaque because the plaque is very thin and does not block the arteries until later in life. The major cause of plaque formation is diet and a lack of exercise although there are some people with genetic problems that produce cholesterol plaques earlier in life. The healthiest hearts in the world have been found in the Tsimane people in the forests of Bolivia, say researchers. Barely any Tsimane had signs of clogged up arteries - even well into old age - a study in the Lancet showed. Why is this the case? Diet!! They eat mostly high fiber, vegetables, fish, and seldom lean meat. They walk for exercise.
It has been determined that most of the arterial plaques are caused by inflammation and saturated fats. This means that our diets of pizza, hamburgers, French fries, ice cream and most carbohydrates are the most common causes and starts at an early age. It is hard to convince a child to eat sprouts for a snack and broccoli and grilled chicken at dinner time. I pass by Shipley’s donuts every day and see dozens of people loading up with boxes of donuts for themselves and their children. I know, we can rationalize that at age 5 or 6 a donut should not hurt. But it becomes a habit and enhanced by using at breakfast cereals that contain sugar and carbs., to name a few. In general, there are most common 5 causes of high cholesterol and LDL.
· Family history of high cholesterol, triglycerides, or LDL
· Diet such as butter, bacon, cheese, sausage, ham, pork
· Low thyroid
· Low testosterone
· Stress with elevated cortisol
This now brings up the prevention besides the diet. Blood test are important especially the lipid panel measuring the total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL. It is also important to measure inflammation with a c-reactive protein, blood count, fasting blood sugar, platelet count, ferritin level, DHEA, thyroid profile, total testosterone and free testosterone and a sex hormone binding globulin. These blood tests will help to consider that the patient has a risk factor or CAD/arteriosclerosis to some extent and should be treated. Thyroid supplementation, testosterone and diet restrictions would be the first step.
If a person is overweight, a weight loss programs should be implemented. Overweight is associated with increase in inflammation. The diet must be changed to low carbs and saturated fats. Berberine is a good supplement to decrease insulin resistance that most patients have that are overweight. Supplements that are important for heart health are l-carnitine, magnesium, COQ10, and d-ribose. Most classis physicians will recommend a statin drug which may have some side effects. It is best to start for the first 3 or 4 months with a more natural or conservative approach unless one has symptoms of CAD. A Mediterranean diet is a good diet to consider. Stress can be addressed by implementing several steps:
· Exercise: 4-5 times a week
· Yoga
· Meditation, 30 minutes a night
· Vitamin C 5000mg a day
· Magnesium 150 mg 3 x day
· Resen or Triganda
The big question arises with or without blood test what might suggest there may be a problem with a potential blockage of the coronary arteries. Usually, the first sign is chest pain (angina). Sometimes it may radiate down the left arm or in the neck. Indigestion can be an unusual sign of pending heart attack. With anyone of the above symptoms, a person should immediately seek treatment. Usually, an EKG will show changes that are consistence with a pending or actual heart attack.
If it is negative, a stress test and echo cardiogram can be ordered and even a nuclear stress test if every other test is negative. Coronary artery stents are usually considered if the coronary arteriogram is performed, and blockage of the arteries can be seen. In some cases, the arteriogram shows blockage that cannot be fixed with a stent and a coronary bypass will be indicated. The main issue is to try to prevent the heart attack stents or bypass in the first place.
Our job it to prevent the process or treat the process of plaque formation.
1. identify those with indicators of heart disease
a. Family history of heart disease
b. Past or present smoker
c. History of high cholesterol and LDL, diabetes or high blood pressure
d. Overweight
e. Inactive lifestyle
f. Other non-traditional risk factors
2. On the complete blood panel, a high cholesterol and LDL and/or high triglycerides, high CRP.
3. Collect labs for the LLP panel at Spectracell for small particles
4. Calcium CT scan over 20 or have one done if any of the following:
b. Past or present smoker
c. History of high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure
d. Overweight
e. Inactive lifestyle
f. Other non-traditional risk factors
5. Any of the above positive→ We offer a unique treatment that will gradually chelate the atherosclerotic plaques from the arteries.
6. Other ways to help reduce arteriosclerosis
a. Mediterranean diet
b. Exercise
c. Can one reduce my amount of small, dense LDLs?
i. Eat a diet very rich in soluble fiber (BYOBB) – Beans, Yams, Oats, Barley, and Berries.
ii. Eat fewer refined carbohydrates.
iii. Eat much less saturated and trans fats and cholesterol.
iv. Exercise regularly, and.
v. Lose excess weight
I received a podcast by Peter Attia, a well know physician in the country. His title of the podcast is"
"The Four Horsemen of Chronic Disease";
The following accounts for over 80% of deaths in people over 50 who do not smoke:
!. Atherosclerotic disease (comprised of cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease)
2.Cancer
3. neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer's disease the most common)
4. "Foundational disease" a spectrum of everything from hyperinsulinemia to insulin resistant to fatty liver disease to type 2 diabetes.
At Vital Health we can treat/control and help prevent all these conditions. It's important to treat health rather than sickness. And one does not want to have said: would of, could of or should of! Remember, 50% of people who have a heart attack have normal cholesterol!
Come in for a complimentary consultation about your concerns you might have for heart disease and how we can treat it.
512-559-4350