February 2004 | Health Conscious
A List for Your Heart Doctor
by Bonnie C. Minsky
Heart Disease is the number one killer of people living in the United States. Nearly 62 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. In 2002, cardiovascular disease related costs in the U.S. were about $329.2 billion. With an aging population and surge in both diabetes and obesity, medical costs for treating heart disease will be insurmountable. Thus, prevention and natural treatments are not a luxury, but a necessity. According to the American Heart Association, at least one-third of deaths from heart disease could be prevented if people followed better diets and exercised more. There are also many tests that can be performed to assess risk and fix the problem before full-blown heart disease attacks.
Dr. Stephen Devries, a cardiologist in Deerfield, IL., who specializes in prevention, recommends comprehensive testing to determine early risk. Cholesterol is only one measure of heart health. According to Devries, at least one-third of the people who develop heart disease actually have a "healthy" cholesterol level. Low-grade inflammation in the heart area with an irritation of blood vessel walls can show a much greater risk for heart disease. A high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a simple blood test that can identify this risk. Many scientific researchers and cardiologists feel that the CRP should be measured in all adults over the age of 40.
Other tests that Devries believes are necessary to look at cardiac risks include Homocysteine, Lp(a), LDL particle size and even a Hemoglobin A1C (see table for further clarification). If elevated, there are natural methods and medical treatments, such as the ones listed in the tables, to improve heart health.
Ten dietary improvement tips for reducing your heart disease risk and living a long, healthy life include:
1. Use olive oil (extra virgin, cold-pressed).
2. Eat whole grains and whole grain substitutes especially oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice and wild rice.
3. Eat (non-farmed) fish, especially sardines and salmon that are high in Omega-3 oils.
4. Eat nuts and seeds especially raw or dry roasted pecans, walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds and sunflower seeds.
5. Drink tea (especially green decaffeinated varieties) and red wine, if tolerated (5 oz. maximum for women/ 10 oz. maximum for men).
6. Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially blueberries, dark green vegetables, fermented soy products, sweet potatoes, avocado and tomatoes.
7. Eat more fiber, especially flaxseed, oat bran, dried beans, and other high fiber vegetables.
8. Restrict saturated fats such as bacon, sausage, lard and high-fat cheese.
9. Avoid trans fats (labels listing hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats should be completely avoided; soon the amount of trans fats will be listed on food labels; they should read "0" or zero).
10. Eat less. Cutting portions in half, if over age 40, could drastically reduce obesity and acceleration of aging.
During this heart health month, make a resolution to gradually add the "ten dietary tips" and test for as many heart health risks as possible.
The following table shows cardiac tests, what they measure and available treatments — as well as natural approaches.
| TEST (measured through blood) | What the Test Measures | Medical Treatments | Natural Methods |
| High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (CRP) | High levels of this protein may indicate an inflammation in the blood vessels leading to hardening of the arteries | Statin drugs (including Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, Pravachol); red yeast rice | CoQ10, plant sterols, and policosonal in supplement form; exercise, dietary improvements |
| Homocysteine | An excess of the amino acid, cysteine, encourages hardening of the arteries leading to blocked arteries to the heart and brain | Foltx (medications of folic acid, B-12 and B-6) | 800-1000 mcg. Folic Acid; 200-500 mcg. B-12, and 25-100 mg. B-6 in supplement form |
| LDL particle size | The small, denser form of LDL more easily penetrates blood vessels leading to plaque | Niacin, Tricor, Lopid | Omega 3 oils or flaxseed in supplement form; dietary improvements; exercise |
| Lp(a), (combination of LDL and apoprotein) | Combination of LDL with a fat and blood-clotting chemical Lp(a) within arterial walls can lead to blockage | Niacin in large doses | Omega 3 oils or flaxseed and niacin included in a B-complex supplement; dietary improvements; exercise |
| Hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C) | Test blood sugar level for about one month; an increase bretween 5.0 and 6.0 shows an increased risk for heart disease | None recommended unless diabetic | Minerals; magnesium and chromium, and lipoic acid in supplement form; dietary improvements; exercise |
Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation, or endorsement by Ms. Minsky.
Bonnie Minsky is a Licensed and Certified Nutrition Specialist, Public Health Educator and Certified menopause Educator with a private practice in Northbrook, IL. She can be reached at nutritionalconcepts.com.
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