Good cholesterol (HDL, High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol) plays crucial role in reducing risk of heart diseases irrespective of amount of bad cholesterol (LDL Cholesterol). Higher the patient’s HDL; lower the risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Even if you can reduce LDL to low levels, it is of no use if you don’t have sufficient HDL. This was revealed in a research study by Sydney Heart Research Institute on 9,700 patients who are on Lipitor (Atorvostatin, cholesterol lowering drug) medication. The research study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Image courtesy: Kansas School of medicine. But researchers failed to give proper details on the protective mechanism of HDL cholesterol irrespective of LDL cholesterol. But it is very difficult to raise HDL levels. Niacin is the only drug that can raise good cholesterol levels but it has serious side effects. Statins can reduce only bad cholesterol levels but have minor effect on good cholesterol levels. Reducing bad cholesterol (LDL Cholesterol) levels reduce heart disease and stroke risk by 50%. If we can develop a magic that can elevate HDL Cholesterol without side effects, we can cut heart disease risk by 90%. It is good to keep LDL Cholesterol level under 100 mg/dl and HDL cholesterol level above 50 mg/dl. Smoking, uncontrolled blood pressure, unhealthy diet habits and stressful life are other major risk factors. Physicians should now concentrate on HDL levels otherwise patients are still at risk of heart diseases even though their LDL levels are under control. … [Read more...]
Problems in low cholesterol persons
Media is concentrating on diseases associated with high cholesterol while overlooking diseases associated with low cholesterol.But, low cholesterol is also causing some diseases mainly psychiatric.We all know that low cholesterol diet is good for heart patients and prevents heart attacks.But other problems arise at the same time. Abnormally low levels of cholesterol may indicate: Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland liver diseaseMalabsorption Inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestines Malnutrition The CNN web site has an article on low cholesterol that reports that people with cholesterol below 180 had twice the risk of hemorrhagic stroke over people with cholesterol levels at 230. High cholesterol probably accounts for 10 percent to 15 percent of ischemic strokes. Low cholesterol is the cause of perhaps 7 percent of hemorrhagic strokes. Saturated fats play a positive role in the human body. They provide a good source of stored energy, they cushion the organs against shock, and they insulate vital tissues against the cold.There are problems associated with saturated fat in the diet, but they are related more to excessive consumption and to the lack of regulating EFAs (essential fatty acids). Source: http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9902/06/strokes/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/352216.stm Doctors usually prescribe Interleukin-12 to patients suffering from cancer and heart ailments.Due to this, level of melatonin hormone decreases in the blood. Due to this low level, patient develops depression and suicidal tendency. … [Read more...]
Atherosclerosis – Pathology and prevention
Atherosclerosis Pathology: Atherosclerosis means there is an obstruction to the flow of blood in big and medium sized vessels walls in the human body due to accumulation of fat patches or plaques. Usually the inner layer of blood vessel is smooth and slippery in nature. If there are creaks in this layer, then fat accumulation beings to form. Blood vessels last their elasticity and become hardened. Body has got its own mechanism for repairing any damaged part in the body. Here the monocytes become active and begin to repair the damaged inner walls and removes the accumulated fat particles. Some times the fat particles have the upper hand over the monocytes. Then these hardened fat particles separate themselves from the wall of the blood vessels and travel in the blood circulation and forms round balls called embolus. It forms at the junction where the blood vessels divide into two branches and obstructs the blood flow. If the obstruction occurs in the coronary blood vessels, the heart-attack occurs. If it occurs in the brain –paralysis (stroke) occurs.Atherosclerosis statistics: The deaths due to Atherosclerosis are 2 times more than the cancer especially in western countries. Risk Factors: 1. Smoking 2. Rise in Blood Cholesterol Level 3. High blood pressure 4. Diabetes 5. Obesity 6. Sedentary life 7. High levels of Homo cysteine in the blood. How can we know this condition of Atherosclerosis? Usually these symptoms appear when the blood vessel is closed up to 70% only. If the blood vessels of heart (coronary vessels) - closes partially – the person gets heart attack. If the openings in the vessels closed completely, there is heart attack or heart failure or changing in the rhythm of heart beatings. If the vessels in the legs are totally closed-we get severe pain in the legs (called intermittent claudication). In the persons beyond 50 years of the age-if the blood flow does not go to kidneys, kidney failure occurs.If there is less oxygen supply to the muscles-we call it as “muscle cry”. How to prevent Atherosclerosis? 1. Avoid smoking, Alcohol and meat. 2. Control Blood cholesterol level and take fat free diet. Stay away from fast foods. 3. Avoid stress and strain. 4. Take soya beans, oatmeal, brawn, Garlic, fish and more vegetables. 5. Garlic: It is called as “old doctor”. It does more benefit of health to the humans. It prevents thickening of blood and blood clots and thus prevents heart diseases. It contains “Alison” a chemical which prevents cancer. Garlic decreases the high blood pressure. It is better to take it in raw form rather than cooked product. 6. Fish: It contains omega-3 fatty acids and also cad liver oil which prevents heart diseases, joint pains and it increases brain activity. The omega 3 fatty acids increase the good cholesterol (HDL), and decreases bad cholesterol (LDL) and thus prevent heart diseases. Most of the heart attacks are preventable with simple measures like diet control and regular exercise. Meditation and Yoga reduce the stress levels. Please share your preventive measures. … [Read more...]
Protecting the heart – Prolonging the life
If we take proper care about our heart, the humans can add 10 years to their life span as per International agencies. How to stay away from Heart diseases: 1. Stay away from Smoking and Alcoholism. 2. Reduce stress and strain on the body. 3. Keep blood pressure under control. 4. Keep weight under control. 5. Exercise daily for 40-45 minutes. 6. Do meditation and Yoga. 1. Blood Pressure: In America, 1 in 4 persons are suffering from blood pressure while in India, 1 in 7 persons are suffering from blood pressure. The wonderful thing is around 50% of those suffering from high blood pressure are without any symptoms. Mechanism: If there is high B.P, heart should work very hard. Heart becomes weak due to this hard work. Chances of heart attack are higher in uncontrolled blood pressure patients. 2. Control of Cholesterol level: Risk for heart attack increases with rise in blood cholesterol levels. Regularly check your blood cholesterol levels. Take fat free diet and stay away from fast foods. 3. Anti oxidants role: Increase in harmful anti - oxidant levels is a direct threat to your heart. Vitamin E is a good anti – oxidant and control the harmful anti oxidants. … [Read more...]
Heart attack – Signs, Symptoms and prevention
Heart attack means death of heart muscle due to loss of blood supply to that heart part mainly due to obstruction in the blood vessel. One million americans are suffered by heart attack every year. Coronart heart disease is the leading cause of deaths in america. Heart attack control is of two types: 1. Possible Control methods: Possible for persons. -Smoking, High blood pressure, High cholesterol level in the blood, Sedentary life style, Irregular and uncontrolled diet habits. 2. Beyond our control: Difficult to avoid. - Males, Age beyond 60 yearsand hereditary. The main cause of obstruction for the free flow of heart is Atherosclerosis – in which fat particles get accumulated in the blood vessels. It takes long time for it to become severe. How to prevent Heart Attacks: Reduce body weight to optimal lavel. Exercise for at least 45 minutes daily. Control your blood pressure and sugar levels. Take fat free diet at regular intervals. Meditate and keep calm under stresful conditions. Checkup your body annually. If Atherosclerosis affects blood vessels, the signs and symptoms of heart disease develop. If the inner gap in the coronary blood vessels is decreased to 30% of the normal size, there is a big obstruction to the blood circulation. It gradually leads to heart attack. Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease:1. Angina – Pain develops in the chest after exercise and subsides at rest. It occurs in the middle of the heart. It is “Constricting” type. Patient feels heaviness in the chest and somebody bends on their chest and feels as if the chest is breaking away and cries bigger. Pain may radiate to back, checks and left arm. 2. Dyspnoea - Difficulty in breathing. 3. Patient becomes pale with severe sweating in the body. 4. If the above signs may not appear, we may call it as a “Silent heart Attack”. Remember: First 30 minutes are very essential. First 6 hours are crucial. As time progresses, Heart muscle gradually necroses (dies) and irrecoverable. Relatives of cardiac patients should learn about Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Aspirin and Sorbitrate drugs are life savers in this crucial period. Take them immediately after you feel pain. To prevent heart attacks, daily exercises and control in dietary habits are must for every one. If we can reduce the level of Cholesterol by 1%, the danger of occurring of heart attack becomes less by 2%. Every one should check their cholesterol levels annually after 40 years. Type A mentality persons (Highly ambitious people) are at risk for heart attack. Best Diagnostic test to find blocks in the blood vessels is Cardiac CT. It will show blocks in some patients, even though their ECG and ECHO are normal. Please share your experiences. … [Read more...]
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