Heart Disease: Are You at Risk?
Most health professionals agree that heart disease, commonly also referred to as cardiovascular disease, is primarily a problem of blocked arteries or "pipes" as they are sometimes called. However, this is not the complete picture. There are many things which contribute to the development of heart disease and problems such as a heart attack. Some factors that have been implicated include:
- cholesterol and other blood fats (although this appears to have been over emphasized),
- coronary inflammation (homocysteine and C-reactive protein),
- blood clotting,
- weight,
- blood pressure,
- diabetes,
- syndrome X (believed to be a product of insulin resistance),
- aerobic capacity,
- smoking and
- personality.
As well as these there are genetic factors. This is a variable over which we have no control. If you do have a family history of heart disease this does not necessarily mean that you will develop heart disease yourself. There are many factors, besides genetics, that go into the development of heart disease. It is these factors that can be changed and thereby reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Cholesterol and other blood fats
In recent years cholesterol levels have become closely identified with heart disease. Too much cholesterol in the blood tends to clump together in the walls of arteries - combining with fibrous tissue to form a "bump" which thickens the artery walls and reduces the blood flow. However, cholesterol levels are not the be-all and end-all of heart disease. It is a natural, non toxic soft waxy substance that is in all cells and is necessary for good health. It is only when it is excessive that we have a problem. So how much cholesterol is too much? The National Cholesterol Education program in collaboration with the American Heart Association has provided the following guidelines for total cholesterol (milligrams of cholesterol in one deciliter (dl) of blood).
- Below 200 - desirable
- 200 to 239 - borderline high
- 240 and above - high
If you have a total cholesterol above 200 you are not alone - the American Heart Association estimates that 98 million Americans have a high blood cholesterol level.
Total cholesterol, however, is not a single unit, it is made up of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High Density Lipoprotein). Cholesterol needs to be combined with fat and protein for it to be transported in the blood - the result is a lipoprotein. Various types of lipoproteins have different sizes, shapes and functions and are classified on the basis of their density (compactness).
LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein)
One of the most important is the LDL. It transports about 60 - 80 % of the cholesterol through the blood stream and it is taken up by the cells as a building block for hormones and cell parts. However the cells may not need all of the cholesterol that is produced and LDL is unstable and will "unravel". It can penetrate the artery walls. LDL is sometimes referred to as "bad cholesterol" because of its role in the clogging of arteries. Because of this it is seen as a better marker of the potential for heart disease than total cholesterol levels. The higher your LDL levels the greater the risk of artery build up.
The National Cholesterol Education Program has created the following as a guideline of cardiac risk from LDL cholesterol (milligrams of LDL in one deciliter (dl) of blood).
- Below 100 - optimal
- 100 to 129 - near optimal
- 130 to 159 - borderline high
- 160 - 189 - high
- 190 and above - very high
HDL (High Density Lipoprotein)
HDL is often known as the "good" cholesterol. It forms a stable package of cholesterol fats and proteins that do not unravel when it comes in contact with the artery wall and the cholesterol it carries does not deposit on the artery walls. HDL can also be used by the body to undo the damage that is caused by the LDL - it collects the unravelled LDL and transports it back to the liver for removal from the body. HDL is therefore considered to be cardio protective.
The National Cholesterol Education Program has created the following as a guideline of cardiac risk from HDL cholesterol (milligrams of HDL in one deciliter (dl) of blood).
- 60 and above - low
- 40 to 59 - moderate
- below 40 - high
If your cholesterol levels are not what they should be then you need to take action - so that you don't become another heart disease statistic.
- If you smoke you need to stop. Growerz can assist you to stop smoking. Take a tour and see what they are able to do for you.
- You need to work on improving your diet and this can include taking quality heart and circulatory system vitamins and minerals.
- You need to cleanse your body, including your arteries, of toxic material so that everything, including your circulatory system, is able to work effectively.
- You also need to manage your stress levels and get plenty of exercise. If you have heart disease you need to check with your health professionals that exercise is safe for you.
- There are also herbs that you can take to assist in improving your circulatory system.
If you are at risk of developing heart disease don't leave it until it is too late - take action now and enjoy an improvement in your overall health as well as the health of your heart and circulatory system.
References
- Davies, S. and A. Stewart., 1997, Nutritional Medicine. Pan.
- Holden, S., Hudson, K., Tilman, J. & D. Wolf, 2003, The Ultimate Guide to Health from Nature. Asrolog Publication.
- Pistcatella, J.C. and Frankin, B.A. 2003, Take a Load off Your Heart. Workman.
- Saxelby, C. 2001, Nutrition for the Healthy Heart. Hardie Grant.
26.07.2007. 18:38
Hi Dr Jenny:
Great Blog, thanks for all the info. You mentioned that herbs can be used and I was wondering if you could explain what ginko biloba does please? I've heard it's good for people with vascular problems.
Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the kind comments. Ginkgo biloba is indeed a great herb and there is a great deal of research that has been done and continues to be conducted on ginkgo biloba's efficacy. It is particularly good for problems of the cardiovascular system. It increases oxygen supply, boosts circulation by improving blood flow and heals blood vessel damage - this is particularly good for the small blood vessels in the legs and hands. Ginkgo also helps the eyes, brain, nervous system, the immune system and more. It has many benefits to the body.
I will write an article about ginkgo biloba and its many benefit.
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