I’ve never had a heart attack… but I came a little too close for comfort. I remember it like it was yesterday although it was 15 years ago. It was a pleasant early fall morning as my wife Bernie and I embarked on the drive to Modesto for a “routine” treadmill test.

Upon arrival at Valley Heart Center the proficient nurses wired me up to the cardiac monitors. After what seemed an eternity (about 3 minutes) of huffing and puffing on the treadmill the technician stopped the instrument of torture, unhooked me and guided me to a chair for a very welcome rest.

A few minutes later a nurse said, “The doctor would like to see you now.” and ushered me into the cardiologist’s office. As I sat down he was staring at my chart with a deep frown on his face. “I don’t like what I see here”, he said, “You are a walking time bomb. You need to go to the hospital immediately.”

Two days later Dr. Hugh Tobin, a highly skilled heart surgeon, sawed open my chest and stitched in bypasses to six clogged arteries. That got my attention.

I know that some of you are surprised that a banker actually had a heart. Six bypasses isn’t a record but it’s not bad for a 59 year old with normal cholesterol and blood pressure and no weight problem.

What actually causes a heart attack? The problem isn’t actually the heart but the clogging of the arteries that provide oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.

The common belief is that eating too much cholesterol and fat causes this clogging.

Cholesterol has received a bum rap-in fact it is so vital that you’d have to eat about twenty eggs to absorb what your body makes every day. Here are the key risks.

* Inflammation and oxidation.

* Low HDL cholesterol. This is the good cholesterol. Low risk is between 45-54.

Exercise improves HDL’s and lowers LDL’s. The ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol is more important than total cholesterol.

* Lp(a) cholesterol. Many researchers say this is the “baddest” cholesterol but doctors rarely check it.

*High homocysteine. This is very dangerous and can injure the arteries and accelerate clogging. Fortunately it can be lowered easily with folic acid and vitamins B12 and B6.

How to keep your arteries clear.

* Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. They are full of antioxidants and fiber, which reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol and improve heart health.

* Try to have beans 4-5 times per week. High levels of legume consumption significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Eat cold-water fish twice each week. It is high in essential omega 3 fats.

* Reduce the oxidation damage of fat and cholesterol in the arteries with a high quality natural vitamin supplement. A “one-a-day” vitamin doesn’t cut it. Centrum Silver has only 45 mg E and 60 mg C. You need 400 mg vitamin E and 500-1000 mg vitamin C. I strongly recommend that you also take CoQ10 and Omega 3 oil supplements.

* Exercise (surprise) 3-4 times per week. Work hard.

Follow these simple basics and you’ll prevent up to 80% of heart and other serious diseases.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The cardiologist looked up from the treadmill report and grimly stated, “You are a walking time bomb. You need to go to the hospital immediately.” Two days later a heart surgeon sawed open Gene Millen’s chest and stitched in bypasses to six clogged arteries.

“A six way heart bypass isn’t a record” said Gene, “but it’s not bad for a skinny 59 year old with normal cholesterol and blood pressure. The villains and heroes in the heart attack melodrama may surprise you as they have me.”

Gene Millen reviews new research on heart attack risks that are more dangerous than high cholesterol… and how natural supplements and heart vitamins can send them packing! Check out The Heart Health website at http://www.heart-health-for-life.com

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Heart attack, medically known as Myocardial Infarction, is the sudden stoppage of the heart due to death or damage to a large part of the heart muscles known as myocardium. It is widely acknowledged that heart related conditions (cardiovascular diseases) are the number one cause of death and disability in the United States and most parts of the civilized world, today. And sudden death, from heart attack is by far the most common consequence of cardiovascular diseases.

We have all seen someone, seemingly healthy days or hours before, suddenly slump and die. This is the kind of death or disability that heart attack visits on its victims. Of the numerous types of cardiovascular conditions, the one that is most likely to lead to a heart attack is what is known as Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) or more appropriately, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

Coronary arteries are the vessels (arteries) that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles or myocardium. So, as the name implies, Coronary Artery Disease is a condition that affects the coronary arteries (i.e. arteries of the heart). This condition is characterized by the slow and gradual buildup of fatty deposits (fat streaks, plaques or atheromatous streaks) in the walls of the coronary arteries. Initially, these atheromatous streaks/plaques expand into the walls of the arteries, but subsequently, they start building up and growing into the lumen of the affected arteries, narrowing such arteries and obstructing blood flow. This is known as atherosclerosis.

As the build up of the plaques continue, over the years, the plaques increase in thickness and the degree of obstruction of blood flow to the heart muscles becomes severe. Though, the buildup of the plaques takes a very long time to completely occlude the lumen of an artery and result in heart attack, however, sudden rupture of a plaque usually speeds up the process. The rupture of plaque activates the blood clotting system and the clot-plaque interaction fills the lumen of such artery to the point of sudden closure. Such sudden occlusion of a coronary artery causes irreversible death of the heart muscle supplied by that artery (myocardial infarction) and precipitates a ‘heart attack’ i.e. the sudden stop of heart beat.

Coronary heart disease, the commonest underlying cause of heart attack, as with several other cardiovascular conditions has been associated with a number of risk factors; however, a family history of coronary heart disease appears to be one of the strongest risk factors. Also, men are more likely to suffer a heart attack than women, though after menopause, the risk of women approaches that of men, especially with hormonal therapies, which tend to increase a woman’s risk of CHD. Other risk factors include: Smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity (especially central or female-type obesity), a chronic sub-clinical lack of vitamin C, elevated homocysteine levels, elevated blood levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine and also importantly, sedentary or inactive lifestyle.

Beside some factors which cannot be controlled, such as hereditary and gender, prevention of CHD and hence, heart attack, is usually achieved through the modification of risk factors. Leading an active life style with frequent exercise, cessation of smoking, maintaining a low-fat, low-calorie diet and decreasing blood cholesterol levels, especially Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are crucial to preventing heart attack. Exercise and healthy diet have been shown to have profound effect on cardiovascular risks, although, cessation of cigarette smoking can also profoundly reduce the risk of heart attack.

It is important to note that despite the increasingly growing number of deaths recorded as a result of heart related conditions, cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented, or at least delayed, in most cases, contrary to general beliefs. The increasing number of deaths recorded in most western countries is mainly due to unhealthy lifestyles; such as smoking, lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating habits; and worst still, the unwillingness to modify these lifestyles in most individuals.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Heart Disease

Prevention is better than cure. This adage holds true especially for heart disease. It is better to give attention to your cardiac health after your teenage years. Identifying risk factors and striving to keep them low is an important first step in preventing heart attacks. It is noteworthy that the American Heart Association recommends preventive measures for heart attacks to start by age 20.

The first occurrences of heart attacks can be fatal. Hence, it is advisable to identify the possible cause of heart attacks and steer clear of them. Preventing a second heart attack is also possible if proper medication and follow-ups are in place.

Medical professionals advise the following preventive measures:

Decrease blood pressure levels. High blood pressure causes stroke. This leads to disability that is often permanent. To reduce blood pressure, reduce the salt level in food and consume medication as per doctor’s orders.

Stop habits like smoking and drinking.

Improve blood cholesterol levels. It is important to increase the percentage of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in blood. At the same time, reduce bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein levels. Cholesterol in the form of fat triggers heart attacks. It is advisable to reduce intake of saturated fats. Diet and exercise need to be combined with medication to improve blood cholesterol levels.

Maintain a proper height/weight ratio. Obesity is a cause of heart attacks. Eating at the right time and in small quantities reduces weight and improves the health of the heart. Pay attention to your body mass index.

Remain physically active. Performing routine activities, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, playing with kids, and running errands keep you physically active all day.

Control diabetes. When diabetes goes out of control, there are chances of silent ischemia or heart attacks. Diabetics are prone to having cardiovascular diseases due to factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, obesity and reduced physical activity.

Eat healthy in combination with exercise. It is important to eat foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat. The in take of omega-3 fatty acids reduces the chances of sudden death. It is also important to eat on time and in small portions. Skipping meals leads to heartburn, which causes unnecessary complications. A low amount of spice, salt and fatty substances ensures a healthier heart. You need to combine this diet with a meditation and exercise regime to stay fit.

Take medicine as prescribed by physicians. ACE inhibitors, aspirin, multivitamins and beta blockers are prescribed by physicians to prevent recurrent heart attacks. All of these reduce atherosclerosis, and improve survival of the patients. Continue consultation with heart specialist.

Lastly, undergo follow-up testing to see if additional therapy is required.

Heart Attacks provides detailed information on Heart Attacks, Heart Attack Symptoms, Preventing Heart Attacks, Treatments For Heart Attacks and more. Heart Attacks is affiliated with Congenital Heart Disease.