Kerry D Friesen, M.D.

Heart Disease: It Doesn’t Have To Happen

Posted on 24. Jan, 2009 by Kerry D Friesen, M.D. in Brain Health, Men's Health, Women's Health

Neurocardiology Comes Of Age

YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION?
Once in a great while new scientific information arises that revolutionizes a field of medicine.

THE FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY

In 1948 in Framingham Massachusetts, 5127 men and women were enrolled in a study that has continued on to the present day. More recently, under the direction of William Castelli, M.D. , Medical Director from 1979 until 1995, careful analysis of the scientific information obtained confirmed the relationship between elevated cholesterol levels and coronary artery (heart) disease.

Since that time, numerous studies have reaffirmed that relationship.

That data, while invaluable, tells only part of a more complex story.

Almost daily, new studies into the cause of atherosclerosis , reveal a complex, sub-cellular environment of fat particles,  metabolic” trash” and inflammatory mediators—-all capable of disrupting the delicate balance required to maintain vascular health.  While traditional risk-factors such as cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes and obesity remain important, new data emphasizes the role of inflammation, genetic make-up, low HDL-cholesterol and small-dense LDL cholesterol.

In addition, risk rises as traditional risk factors are combined with newer risks and all of this is just the beginning.

Every 32 seconds someone in North America suffers a heart-attack and despite all that modern medicine has to offer, one-third of those will still die.

Women, by the way, are no exception.

In fact, more women than men die of heart attacks every day.

A better understanding of non-traditional risk factors can change that.

This blog is can help you do it!

To borrow a quote,
“May you live long and prosper”