Information on popular complementary and alternative medical topics

What about people who already have coronary problems detected by tests, or who have angina pectoris, or who have had a heart attack? Is the “jam” as far as cholesterol is concerned for these individuals? Evidence is mounting that lowering cholesterol in this group retards the further development of c nary blockages and most intriguingly may even promote some regression blockages that are already pres These changes have been observe as little as 2 years.Because of the possibility for regression of disease in patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis, physicians are not satisfied with levels that they consider “adequate” for people who do not have heart disease. If you have heart disease, expect that your physician will want you lower your cholesterol below a level that is considered adequate for someone else.To summarize: People with relatively low LDL-cholesterol levels (and low VLDL cholesterol) or relatively high HDL-cholesterol levels experience fewer coronary artery problem and live longer, on the average. People included in this group are those who have lowered their LDL-cholesterol level or raised their HDL-cholesterol level by means of diet, exercise, or medications.  Everyone can benefit from lowering their cholesterol level, but the people with the most to gain are those who start out with high cholesterol levels.*246\353\8*

Persistent high blood pressure damages the cardiovascular system – the heart and blood vessels. This system may be compared to a tree. The largest artery – the aorta – is the trunk. The aorta carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries to all parts of the body. The smallest arteries, called arterioles, are the twigs. The walls of the arterioles are normally elastic, but under sustained high blood pressure they harden and lose their flexibility. This may happen naturally with age, but high blood pressure hastens the process. To overcome this resistance, the heart pumps harder and in time is unable to keep up with the demands made upon it. The hardening of the arteries also increases the likelihood that a blood clot will interfere with the normal flow of blood to the heart, brain, kidney, or other organ. The result may be one of the disabling and often fatal complications of high blood pressure – a heart attack, a stroke, or kidney failure.

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