Is a Heart Attack or Stroke in Your Future? Part II

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Is a Heart Attack or Stroke in Your Future? Part 2

Whenever I write an article pertaining to thyroid I get a tremendous response from the public. Probably because individuals feel the effects of hypothyroidism and synthetic thyroid hormone rarely fixes the problem. When I write articles on heart attack and strokes there is more of a ho-hum response. Probably because most individuals don’t have symptoms with atherosclerosis until it's too late! As a matter fact the very first symptom of any heart disease for many individuals is death!

If you're relying on cholesterol as your predictor of future heart attack and stroke, you may end up very disappointed. Total cholesterol level is about worthless in determining your risk for heart disease, unless it is above 330. The greatly feared “bad cholesterol” called LDL is not much better at predicting your heart disease. UCLA School of Medicine found that 75% of patients hospitalized for a heart attack had low levels of the “bad” cholesterol LDL, below the 130 mg/dl safe range. An American Journal of Pathology study verifies that chronic inflammation is a primary cause of heart attacks and strokes, not cholesterol. Two of the best and least expensive biomarkers of chronic inflammation are hsCRP and fibrinogen blood levels.

Major studies have demonstrated that elevated blood levels of hsCRP is highly predictive of future heart attack, stroke, sudden cardiac death, and the development of peripheral arterial disease. Elevated hsCRP levels predict risk over the next 30 to 40 years. Fibrinogen levels increase in the blood with chronic inflammation. A major European study showed that elevated blood “fibrinogen is a powerful predictor of stroke" in all its forms. Everyone should know their hsCRP and fibrinogen blood levels and how to maintain healthy levels without drugs. These are important biomarkers that I follow and treat in all of my patients.

For those who wish to know the possibility of future heart attacks and stroke with greater certainty, there is the Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) blood test. The VAP Test is the most accurate and comprehensive risk profile available today, reporting 15 separate components of blood lipids and cholesterol instead of the four found in the standard test. The VAP Test is simple, completed by drawing blood from the vein in your arm. This comprehensive blood lipid and cholesterol test identifies hidden heart disease risks, including inherited risk factors that can lead to premature heart disease. The VAP test identifies more than 90% of people at risk for cardiovascular disease, compared to 40% for routine cholesterol screenings. However, it is vital to have a doctor run the VAP test who understands how to interpret it and how to treat the risk factors naturally with diet and nutrition. If not, you may just end up on more dangerous and symptom causing drugs.

Of the 15 components measured possibly one of the most important ones is your level of a lipoprotein called LP(a). A high Lp (a) level (more than 30 mg/dl) carries a 10 times greater risks for heart disease than LDL cholesterol level. Studies have also shown that Lp(a) sticks to damaged blood vessels, attracting other Lp(a) molecules, and finally creating the damaging atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, artery blockage or plaque is composed mainly of Lp(a) and not of ordinary cholesterol. This has been well established by research, yet very few physicians check for it in their patients. What is extremely nice about this risk factor is that it responds well to proper nutritional intervention with supplements such as niacin.

Take action now! There is so much more to learn when it comes to naturally preventing heart attacks and stroke. For those who are interested in not suffering a heart attack or a stroke you are invited to a life-changing FREE seminar, see ad below and call the clinic to register. For those who want to act now call the clinic today at 763-862-7100 and schedule your first appointment and receive a Comprehensive VAP test at half-price for only $110 measuring all 15 risk factors.