Normal Cholesterol and Heart Attack

If you have high cholesterol, everyone knows that you are at an increased risk for a heart attack and possibly even cardiovascular disease. But high cholesterol – Heart Attack-the #1 cause of death in our society today – isn’t the only danger that you need to address if you’re trying to lower your risk for cardiovascular disease.
There are other risks that put us in danger for having a heart attack, like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high homocysteine (amino acid) levels, obesity and uncontrolled stress. These all have been known to – when left unchecked – contribute to heart attacks and other vascular disease.

The Hidden Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Recently, science has discovered yet another risk for developing cardiovascular disease called endothelial dysfunction. The discovery of endothelial dysfunction is helping researches to better understand how smoking, diabetes and stress put us all at an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and other killer vascular diseases.
Endothelial cells are found in the endothelium – the smooth, inner lining of the blood vessels – the arteries, veins, in the innermost lining of the heart and in the lymphatic vessels.

What Do Endothelial Cells Do?
Endothelial cells determine how much blood flows through our blood vessels. This affects blood coagulation and blood stickiness, and the degree of dilation or constriction of your blood vessels based at a moment by moment occurrence.
They also regulate blood vessel dilatation; when blood vessels and their surrounding tissues need more oxygen, blood or other nutrients, the endothelia cells secrete nitric oxide (NO), causing the muscular coating on the walls of blood vessels to relax, enabling the blood vessels to dilate. This process allows more blood flow to the tissues the blood vessel serves.

Endothelial Dysfunction – When Good Cells Turn Bad
When functioning as they should, endothelial cells won’t produce excessive blood thickness. However, when endothelial cells don’t function as they should, local chemicals are secreted, increasing blood stickiness which leads to excessive blood clotting. Endothelial dysfunction is also a contributor to angina.

Heart Attacks and Endothelial Dysfunction
Many times the final event in a heart attack and ischemic stroke is the clumping together of blood platelets which then form a plug in the artery walls. These plugs can completely block critical blood flow that’s needed to a heart muscle or brain tissue. The deadly process is often the result of endothelial dysfunction.

Anticoagulants and Endothelial Dysfunction
Once endothelial dysfunction occurs, endothelial cells no longer have the ability to secrete the appropriate amounts of nitric oxide that are needed, resulting in blood vessel constriction and leading to severely restricted blood flow to the surrounding tissues.
As a result, endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in the development of heart disease, ischemic stroke and deep vein thrombosis. This is why doctors prescribe powerful anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin) in an effort to breakdown blood clots that occasionally remain after a heart attack. They also prescribe them for treating deep vein thrombosis.

What Causes Endothelial Dysfunction?
In recent years we’ve learned a great deal about what causes endothelial dysfunction and how to prevent it, and it’s not surprising that the answer lies in dietary and lifestyle behaviors.
We know that high cholesterol levels increase the risk for developing endothelial dysfunction, and that people who have narrowed arteries from the build-up of cholesterol have a greater propensity for endothelial dysfunction. Unfortunately, this presents as a double-whammy for these individuals.

How can I Avoid Endothelial Dysfunction?
To stay healthy and avoid increasing your risk for developing endothelial dysfunction and other cardiovascular diseases:

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
Limit your intake of animal fat (with exception of fish)
Consume food to help lower your cholesterol (beans, peas, certain fruits and vegetables, ground flaxseed, psyllium husk fiber, salba grain)
Stay within your ideal range of weight
Participate regularly in an exercise program
Adopt a healthy lifestyle and eating habits to maintain healthy cholesterol levels

Refined Sugars, Bad Oils and Endothelial Dysfunction
But even if your cholesterol levels are normal, please don’t think there is no need to protect yourself, as endothelial dysfunction can still happen if your diet is high in trans-fats (margarine, shortenings, deep fried foods, etc.) and/or you’re eating excessive amounts of animal fat (saturated fat) – though fish is an exception – and too many highly-refined sugars.

Endothelial Dysfunction Doesn’t Care if Your Cholesterol is Low!
In 2001, researchers discovered in a women’s study that approximately one-half of the participants who complained of chest pain had endothelial dysfunction. (Results were taken from a normal angiogram test and the participants had no signs of overtly large coronary artery blockage – narrowed arteries – at the time of the testing.)
This study is evidence that even if your cholesterol levels are normal and there are no signs of artery blockage, you can still be at risk for a heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases if you’re eating foods high in animal fat, trans-fats and refined sugars.
We now have solid, scientific evidence that even if your body is excellent at clearing cholesterol from your blood stream (low cholesterol), what you eat can set you up for cardiovascular disease.
Normal cholesterol levels is no guarantee against a heart attack, stroke or developing other life-threatening conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis, especially if you continue to eat those foods on a regular basis.

Other Risks for Endothelial Dysfunction
Type I and Type II Diabetes - Keep in mind that the processes of Type I and Type II diabetes encourages endothelial dysfunction, which may further explain why diabetics are at a much higher risk for cardiovascular complications. (By remaining at an ideal weight and getting and keeping physically fit, you can dramatically reduce your chances of developing Type II diabetes. And if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, the same principles apply to managing your diabetic state.)

Tobacco Consumption - Cigarette smoking has been implicated as a cause of endothelial dysfunction, among other things. (The discovery of the endothelial dysfunction process explained to science why there is a heightened risk for vascular disease in smokers.)

High Blood Pressure – Uncontrolled high blood pressure can contribute to endothelial dysfunction. (Be sure to have your blood pressure monitored on a regular basis, and if it’s mild to med range high blood pressure, there are natural supplements and nutrients you can use to help control this condition. If your blood pressure is high and out of control, you need to do what you can to regulate it. A good physical from your family doctor will let you know if you’re at risk.)

Fight Endothelial Dysfunction with Vitamins
and Essential Fatty Acids
In addition to cutting back on saturated fat, trans-fats and refined sugars, certain vitamins, minerals and other natural agents can lower the chances of your developing – and in some cases reversing – endothelial dysfunction.

Control Endothelial Dysfunction for a Longer Life!
Cardiovascular disease accounts for approximately 40% of all deaths in North America, many of which occur long before people have had a chance to live a full life. Although genetic factors play a role, studies confirm that more than 90% of all cases of premature heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and other vascular disease are the result of faulty dietary and lifestyle patterns.
In light of the fact that endothelial dysfunction is a dominant factor for premature death in vascular disease, having low cholesterol levels and being thin are no longer acceptable reasons for regularly consuming foods high in saturated fat, trans-fats, and refined sugars.
Diet can make the difference between life and death. Choose life and change those bad habits today. It can help you live a longer, more fulfilling life. And that’s what we all want anyway.
References

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Reis SE, Holubkov R, Smith AJC, Kelsey SF, Sharaf BL, Reichek N, Rogers WJ, Merz NB, Sopko G, Pepine CJ. Coronary microvascular dysfunction is highly prevalent in women with chest pain in the absence of coronary artery disease: Results from the NHLBI WISE Study, Am Heart J, 141;5:735-741. 2001
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Dr Elena M Morreale

For More Information: Call Dr Elena Morreale,DC, DABCI (Alternative Cancer and Health Therapies, Tampa, FL)813-968-5404.

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