Heart Attacks And The Cholesterol Myth

Half Of All Heart Attacks Occur In People With Normal Cholesterol Levels.

Despite having healthy cholesterol levels You are just as vulnerable to heart attacks and or strokes as people who have high cholesterol levels.

This is due to an immune system response that triggers inflammation. Weakening heart vessels causing fatty build ups or plaque to burst.

Referred to as atherosclerosis.

After a eight year study Dr Paul Ridker of Bostons Brighams and Womans Hospital proved that Inflammation, not cholesterol, is twice as likely to trigger a heart attack.

This breakthrough comes at a time when heart disease or cardiovascular disease is on the increase around the world.

If having high cholesterol levels was the primary cause of atherosclerosis leading to heart attacks or strokes, then it would therefore mean that there would be a decline and not an increase in heart disease. The fact is having high cholesterol does not by itself induce, cause or lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Books on the cholesterol and other health myths :

Lipitor: Thief of Memory, Statin Drugs and the Misguided War on Cholesterol

Hidden Truth about Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Websites Of Interest

www.health-heart.org

www.thincs.org

What Is Inflammation

Inflammation occurs as a direct response to injury and invading bugs. Unfortunately the body gets it wrong sometimes which causes an unwanted response. In this case fatty build ups or plaque's that line the heart vessels become inflammed. When white blood cells invade in a misguided defence attempt, they cause the unstable plaque's to rupture, which can then cause a sudden attack or stroke.

More information on atherosclerosis can be found here.

Prevention:

You should always consult a specialist about your heart health and what choice's or options are available for you to treat symptoms that may present themselves, or for supporting and maintaining a healthy robust cardiovascular system.

If you don't like taking drugs, tell your doctor and then ask about natural alternative treatments that may help you. If the doctor comes across as being negative to this idea get a second or third opinion. Remember most of the time a simple change in lifestyle and eating habits can do more good than all the drugs combined.

A healthy diet and plenty of exercise is always a sensible first option that must always be taken into consideration. Unfortunately a lot of doctors don't seem to get the link between eating healthy, exercising and heart disease.

According to Time Magazines Article Feb 2004.
The Secret Killer. The surprising links between inflammation and Heart Attacks, Cancer, Alzheimers, Diabetes and other chronic disease."
Inflammation is the bodies number one defence against disease, but when it goes haywire it can cause a whole range of nasty chronic disease's."

Cholesterol. Not The Only Heart Risk

Reducing inflammation in the body can be as protective against heart disease as lowering cholesterol, two studies have found, sparking new debate over strategies to monitor and prevent cardiovascular disease. ( Sydney Morning Hearld Jan 7 2005)

Inflammation & Heart Disease

Over the last couple of months there have been papers that reinforce evidence that heart researchers have had for years - that inflammation plays an important role in heart disease.(ABC Radio Jan 27 2005)

Act in time. Beware of warning heart attack symptoms Know the causes and prevention of heart attack. Save your life and your loved one's.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not recommended or intended as a means of diagnosing or treating an illness. Always consult a qualified medical practitioner for this purpose.

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