Heart Attack Prevention We have all heard it before: cousin Jerry, Aunty Jane.. was rushed to the hospital for a triple bypass. Of course, the whole family was terribly worried – especially his wife, Gayle. But she had faith in the doctor when he said that the surgery would prevent a future heart attack. That’s the standard line doctors have been giving patients for years – but now there’s evidence that this medical wisdom may be completely wrong! Researchers are beginning to grasp the mechanics of how heart attacks really happen – and that coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty and stents do little, if anything at all, to prevent them. In fact, a new model of heart disease shows that a vast majority of heart attacks aren’t caused by the build-up of plaque that narrows arteries. Excuse me? You mean that, for all these years, cardiologists were wrong? So it seems. --------------------------------- The wrong prescription --------------------------------- The old idea was this: Coronary artery disease is caused by plaque which slowly accumulates over decades and narrows the arteries – sort of like sludge building up in a pipe. Every year, the narrowing grows more severe until one day no more blood can flow through the artery. And when that happens, the patient has a heart attack. Traditionally, cardiologists performed either an angioplasty – a procedure that opens arteries by pushing plaque back with a tiny balloon – or an atherectomy that removes plaque by literally scraping it away with a sharp blade or abrasive material. With either procedure, a wire mesh stent is usually implanted to keep the artery open. Think of it as scaffolding that props the artery open. Bypass surgery, on the other hand, reroutes, or "bypasses," the blood around clogged arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen to the heart – and is usually performed when an artery is severely clogged. The surgeon takes a segment of healthy blood vessel from another part of the body (typically the leg) and makes a detour around the blocked part of the coronary artery. Because all of these procedures clear plaque and increase blood flow, it was assumed that heart attacks could be averted. But now it appears that this whole premise was just plain wrong. According to a growing number of scientists, most heart attacks don’t occur because an artery is narrowed by plaque. Instead, they say, heart attacks occur when an area of plaque bursts, a clot forms over the area and blood flow is abruptly blocked. This dangerous plaque is soft and fragile, produces no symptoms and would not be seen as an obstruction to blood flow. The problem is that most heart patients have hundreds of these vulnerable plaques, so preventing heart attacks means going after all of the arteries, not just one narrowed section. But old ideas die hard – and so most cardiologists still recommend aggressive treatment. And, not just to relieve angina or to improve the quality of life – more and more people with no apparent symptoms are now getting stents. The reason is simple – money. According to an analysis by Merrill Lynch, based on sales figures, more than a million stents will be implanted this year, nearly double the number performed five years ago. Now most cardiologists will argue that they are just being cautious. But angioplasty is just a temporary fix – 40 percent of people who've had an angioplasty find that the dilated segment of the artery narrows again within six months. And stents often fail, even the new drug-coated stents. Although drug-coated stents are all the rage among cardiologists, the FDA approved these devices after a study (yes, just one) found that stents coated with the drug paclitaxel reduced return arterial narrowing better than stents without the drug. But the study was small, only 176 patients, and a larger trial failed to confirm the effect. Nevertheless, over 50,000 drug-coated stents were used during the first three months following its approval, even though the devices have been responsible for at least 360 cases of thrombosis (blood clots) and more than 70 deaths. Another problem with angioplasty, atherectomy and stenting, says Dr. James Tcheng, Associate Professor at Duke University Medical Center, is that these procedures damage the inside of the vessel, setting patients up for the speedy build-up of plaque which can suddenly shut down a blood vessel and cause a heart attack. Bypass surgery is also riddled with problems. Short-term complications can include difficulty breathing, cognitive impairment, bleeding, infection, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm and even heart attack. And a bypass doesn’t slow the progression of atherosclerosis. In fact, it may even speed up the process. Research shows that total blockage is 16 times more common in arteries after bypass surgery then in those that have been left alone. --------------------------------- Everything old is new again --------------------------------- So what is the answer? Recent studies show that a much more powerful way to prevent heart attacks is rooted in lifestyle changes. This “old school” advice includes giving up smoking, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and preventing blood clots. Researchers estimate that tackling even one of these tactics can reduce the risk of having a heart attack by one- third. Of course, your doctor will take that to mean more prescriptions for statin drugs, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and blood thinners. But, while these drugs work, doctors still haven’t figured out that, whether it’s surgery or pharmaceuticals, there are no risk-free quick fixes. A safer way to naturally reduce your risk, however, is that good old standby – garlic. Garlic lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, acts like a natural blood thinner and improves the elasticity of blood vessel walls. Preliminary animal studies also suggest that garlic may help lower homocystine levels. In one double-blind cross-over study of 41 men with high cholesterol levels, half took 7,200 mg. of aged garlic every day. The other half were given a placebo. After six months, the groups switched to the other supplement for an additional four months. By the end of the study, the researchers found that the aged garlic supplement reduced total cholesterol by seven percent and LDL cholesterol by 4.6 percent. And systolic blood pressure dropped by 5.5 percent, leading the researchers to conclude that aged garlic supplements can benefit people with both moderately high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Better yet, garlic supplements have been found to reduce the size of plaque deposits by nearly 50 percent. In a four-year study of 152 cardiac patients, a daily dose of 900 mg. significantly slowed the development of atherosclerosis. Another study, which measured the flexibility of the aorta of 200 patients, reported that the subjects taking garlic had more flexibility, indicating less atherosclerosis. The heart-healthy benefits of garlic are due, in large part, to a compound called allicin. This sulfur-rich substance is activated when the clove is crushed and allowed to sit for about 10 minutes. Allicin is then further broken down to a compound called ajoene, which may be the substance that inhibits blockage in blood vessels from clots and atherosclerosis. Since there is some evidence that fresh garlic is more potent than garlic supplements, ideally you should eat two cloves of garlic a day – something those who like garlic find easy to do. But if you don’t like eating garlic or if it bothers your stomach, you can still reap the benefits by taking 2,400 to 7,200 mg. of an aged garlic supplement. Use standardized garlic supplements whenever possible though, to ensure that you’re getting a specified concentration of allicin and other active substances. One last thing . . . Of course, while combining garlic with a healthy diet and exercise program helps most people avert a heart attack, some people still need more aggressive treatment. But before you sign up for angioplasty or a bypass, consider EDTA chelation therapy. EDTA chelation uses repeated administrations of a weak synthetic amino acid (ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid or EDTA for short) that gradually reduce atherosclerotic plaque and other mineral deposits throughout the cardiovascular system by literally dissolving them away. This alternative to angioplasty and bypass surgery has frequently been compared to a natural "Roto-Rooter” because it removes plaque and returns the arterial system to a smooth, healthy, pre-atherosclerotic state. An added benefit – EDTA thins the blood and prevents the formation of blood clots. Hundreds of studies have shown EDTA’s effectiveness and safety. One particular study found that when 65 patients who had been on the waiting list for bypass surgery were treated with EDTA chelation therapy, the symptoms in 89 percent of them improved so much that they canceled their surgery. I wish my cousin had chosen this route, but, like many folks, Jerry is still clinging to the belief that doctors always know best. And, while he’s fine for the moment, unless he starts taking responsibility for his own health, no doubt Jerry will be seeing the operating room again. This just in . . . You may remember me telling you that vitamin E-rich nuts were a great addition to your diet. Now there’s even more evidence that munching a handful of nuts every day can help keep you healthy. According to a new study of more than 4,000 men and women aged 40 to 69 in Finland, those with a higher intake of vitamin E were less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. But it isn’t just the vitamin E in nuts that make them such a terrific weapon against diabetes. An earlier study of more than 80,000 women found that the healthy fats in nuts improve glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. But not any nut will do. Processed nuts are high in both saturated fat and sodium, making them an unhealthy choice. Look for non-roasted, salt-free almonds, walnuts or cashews instead. Yours in health and happiness, References: Chappell LT, Stahl JP. “The correlation between EDTA Chelation therapy and improvement in cardiovascular function: A Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Advancement in Medicine, 1993, 6: 3, 139-160. Dillon SA, et al. “Antioxidant properties of aged garlic extract: an in vitro study incorporating human low density lipoprotein.” Life Science. 2003;72:1583-1594. Hancke C, Flytie K. “Benefits of EDTA chelation therapy on arteriosclerosis.” Journal of Advancement in Medicine. 1993;6:161-72. Kolata G. “Studies cast doubt on aggressive heart care.” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 21 March 2004. Montonen J, et al. “Dietary antioxidant intake and risk of type 2 diabetes.” Diabetes Care. 2004;27:362-366. Steiner M, et al. “A double-blind crossover study in moderately hypercholesterolemic men that compared the effect of aged garlic extract and placebo administration on blood lipids.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1996;64:866-870.
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