Revealed - The Dangers Lurking In Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

By Joe Dungait

Cholesterol lowering drugs have been used for quite a long time now. Originally the most often prescribed ones were statins, however recently the most commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering drugs have been Vytorin and Zetia. Lately though, it appears many physicians are actually going back to prescribing statins because they are finding these latest additions have just not been effective at reducing cholesterol levels. Statins are very effective at reducing high cholesterol levels, but unfortunately they also bring with them some severe health concerns as part of their side effects.

One organ in your body that is particularly susceptible to damage by statins is your liver. This is due to the fact that statins mess around with the enzymes in your liver and an increase in certain enzymes which is allowed to build up over a significant period of time will ultimately lead to your liver being severely damaged. It is not just statins that do this though, a drug that we mentioned earlier, Zetia also can list liver damage as one of its side effects along with a whole host of other side effects too. The challenge with liver damage is that it does not have any early warning signals and therefore strikes without any prior symptoms; thus if you on cholesterol lowering drugs make sure you get your liver checked regularly.

Possibly the number one side effect and complaint about statins is in the way that it leaves the user with severe muscle pain and also muscle weakness. There are a host of reasons behind this but the most important one that you need to know about is because that when the statins suppress the enzyme that creates the bad cholesterol, at the same time it also suppresses an enzyme that powers all of the cells in your body. The long-term effect of this can be severe health implications for you, because when you take into consideration that your heart is a muscle then ultimately you may experience severe pain here and with it being a weak muscle possibly also experienced failure.

Memory loss and poor concentration is also a common side effect of cholesterol lowering drugs such as statins. The cause behind this is because that we actually need the LDL cholesterol in our bodies for a reason, and one of those reasons is to make our brain function properly. Statins can often reduce our LDL cholesterol to too low a level, and therefore we do not get enough of it going to our brains which ultimately means a breakdown in communication between brain cells. Some researchers are now linking very low levels of LDL with Alzheimer's disease. Ultimately, we have this LDL cholesterol in our bodies for a reason and it is my opinion that totally suppressing it is to be messing with your body at the cellular level.

Ultimately, unless there are several more reasons for you to be on cholesterol lowering drugs you may want to look at other avenues to treat your high cholesterol levels before committing to drugs such as statins. Research is now finding that simple lifestyle decisions such as losing weight, cutting out foods that contain trans fats and exercising more can all help to reduce your bad cholesterol levels and help raise your good cholesterol levels. - 32389

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If you would like to discover more about natural ways to lower your cholesterol levels that are as effective as cholesterol lowering drugs, then make sure you visit http://www.clobbercholesterol.com to see what nature can do for you without the side effects of statins.

Cholesterol And Heart Disease The Things You Should Know

By Dr. Sam Robbins

Cholesterol helps your body build new cells, insulate nerves, and produce hormones. Normally, the liver makes all the cholesterol the body needs. But cholesterol also enters your body from food, such as animal-based foods like milk, eggs, and meat. Too much cholesterol in your body is a major risk factor for heart disease.

A form of heart disease, atherosclerosis, is caused when too much cholesterol is in the blood which builds up in the walls of your arteries. The arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart muscle is slowed down or blocked. Your heart gets oxygen from the blood. When you do not get enough blood and oxygen to your heart, it might cause chest pains. A heart attack can happen when the blood supply to a part of your heart is completely cut off by a blockage.

The two forms of cholesterol Americans are familiar with are low density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) and high density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol). Cholesterol travels in the blood in this form. LDLs have little protein and high levels of cholesterol and HDL has a lot of protein and very little cholesterol.

The main source of artery clogging plaque is LDL. The HDL works to clear cholesterol from the blood.

Another fat in the bloodstream is triglycerides. According to research, high levels of triglycerides are linked to heart disease.

High cholesterol itself does not cause any symptoms; so many people are unaware that their cholesterol levels are too high. Therefore, it is important to find out what your cholesterol numbers are because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease, even if you already have it.

It is recommended that everyone over the age of twenty get their cholesterol levels measured at least every five years. Lipoprotein profile is the blood test that is performed. - 32389

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For additional information or questions in regards to Cholesterol and Heart Disease please send all messages to Dr. Sam Robbins

Do You Want To Know How To Lower Your Choleterol? These Three Foods Will Help

By Joe Dungait

When looking into ways how to lower your cholesterol what we have to bear in mind is that we only want to lower the bad cholesterol which is the LDL and at the same time we want to raise good cholesterol which is the HDL. The LDL-cholesterol is created by your liver and ultimately this determines how much is in your blood, however the food that you eat can play a small part and by eating certain foods you can help lower your LDL cholesterol to a certain degree. So with every little helping, let's have a look at three simple foods to lower your cholesterol.

How To Lower Your Cholesterol

1.Oats- There is a substance known as soluble fiber which is found in oatmeal and oat bran that is hugely beneficial in helping to lower bad cholesterol, while at the same time not reducing the good cholesterol levels. In fact, soluble fiber is so effective at maintaining a healthy heart that in 1997 the FDA approved its claims for being able to do just that. For it to have any kind of impact on your bad cholesterol you need to have around 5 to 10gms per day; short term this will lead to about a 5% reduction in bad cholesterol, however over the long term the reduction could be as much as 23%.

2.Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Omega 3 from oily fish has been proven to help lower cholesterol levels quite significantly. In fact not only does it lower LDL but it actually increases the amount of HDL in your bosy which is what you want. On top of that omega3 from oily fish also helps to reduce triglyceride levels and reduce the amount of clogging in the arteries that is caused by raised LDL levels.

3.Nuts - Nuts can help by not only reducing the amount of oxidization in the body through the selenium and vitamin E that they contain, but they can also help lower LDL levels because of some of the other nutrients that they contain. Nuts contain plant sterols and also monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, all of which combine to lower LDL cholesterol. One thing to bear in mind though is that although they are good for the heart, they also pack a few calories too, therefore be careful not to overdo on them. - 32389

About the Author:

If you would like more information on how to lower your cholesterol without having to resort to medication, then please make sure you visit http://www.clobbercholesterol.com to find out about the most natural and effective way to reduce cholesterol levels.

A Growing Concern: Childhood Hypertension

By Sean Davids

High blood pressure, or hypertension, at one time was believed to be strictly associated with adults, with the possibility of contracting it growing larger with age. However, with an increasing number of children now suffering from hypertension, a great deal of importance is being paid to this issue. Some studies indicate that up to 6% of teenagers and 1% of children below the age of 12 suffer from this problem. If a child's blood pressure exceeds that of 95% of others in his age group it is considered to be hypertension. To identify the cause of hypertension in children is becoming a significant concern.

It is a well know fact that Americans, as a nation, are becoming increasingly overweight. That this situation is not confined to adults and can affect even children is a factor that is sometimes ignored. A startling 33% of children in this country are thought to be overweight to some extent. This is the main reason for childhood hypertension.

There are ongoing studies on the link between overweight and high blood pressure, but we certainly know without doubt that such a link exists both in kids and in grownups. Without the need for any medical intervention, this is the one factor that can be easily managed. If children are encouraged to spend more time outdoors, their natural energy will cause them to indulge in physical activity that will burn up the extra calories. This will go far in eliminating a key cause of hypertension in kids.

But obesity is not always caused by lack of exercise. A reason for obesity and the consequent cause of hypertension in children can be genetic. If the parents have diabetes or excess weight, then children should be examined to see if they have glandular or genetic problems that can be treated with drugs.

High blood pressure in kids is often caused by poor dietary habits. Unhealthy ways of eating and junk food are very appealing to kids. Foods that contribute to high blood pressure in kids are typically fast foods, and teenagers like to congregate in these places. Once in the premises, their consumption of this unhealthy food tends to rise dramatically.

There are various medical conditions which are hard to discern which could also be a cause of childhood hypertension. They include sleep apnea, even mild forms, kidney issues, glandular issues, and lupus. Also, psychological problems can cause children to eat too much. If a child has hypertension, it's essential to talk to a physician, even if the obvious cause appears to be obesity. There could be underlying factors that may require treatment along with the elimination of the obesity problem. - 32389

About the Author:

High blood pressure is a serious problem, particularly forms such as high blood pressure during pregnancy. It's important that you do whatever you can towards effective high blood pressure control.

Tobacco Use and Its Effects on Your Heart

By Keira Adams

Even those who love to smoke and chew tobacco are aware of its evil effects upon them. Your personal doctor has probably warned you about its harmful effects, but you can also find information from the Surgeon General's office and from campaigns all across the country. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable heart disease and heart attacks in the United States and also in the rest of the world. By smoking you increase your risk of heart attack by at least 300%.

Smoking results in rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and lessens the quantity of oxygen in your blood. All of these factors combined put you at a higher risk of heart disease and attack.

Smoking includes utilizing pipes, cigarettes, and cigars. Although a lot of people believe that smoking cigars and pipes isn't as risky, the reality is that they have greater nicotine amounts along with other harmful substances.

One of the things that people frequently believe is that the use of smokeless tobacco will do less damage to your body than the use of a cigarette or cigar. This is any form of tobacco, whether you chew, smoke or sniff it. This habit is equally dangerous to the heart. In fact, if you use smokeless tobacco you're twice as likely to have a heart attack as someone who doesn't. And if you smoke and use smokeless tobacco you're actually four times more likely to have a heart attack than someone who doesn't use tobacco at all. And, in contrast to some habits which are all right if done moderately, using tobacco has no health advantages at all and doesn't have a safe level of utilization.

But there is good news. If you use tobacco, you can stop using it and tobacco's effects will start lessening. For a light smoker, your risk of heart disease can be reduced to that of a nonsmoker in as few as five to ten years of a nonsmoking lifestyle. If you smoke heavily, you can lessen your risk a lot, yet it might not ever get totally eliminated.

If you use any form of tobacco, now is the time to quit. You don't want to develop a heart condition, so stop that bad habit now. Sadly, a large number of individuals wait to stop till they get ill. At this point, several effects aren't reversible, although stopping can enhance your opportunities of surviving and your life's quality. But the sooner you quit, the better. - 32389

About the Author:

Heart disease kills more people each year than all of the cancers combined. Learn more about the causes and effects of this epidemic problem, along with treatment information such as herbal remedies for heart disease, at Heart Wellness.

How to Prevent Heart Disease - 3 Tips for Your Health

By Marie Nolan

Preventing heart disease isn't just watching what you eat. And while reviewing your diet is a smart initial step, what else do you need to do to forestall this killer condition?

Tip Number 1: Ban the Trans

You've undoubtedly seen commercials where food labels exclaim, "Zero trans fats!". But do they really have zero, or are those labels wrong?

A food may legally say it contains no trans fatty acids per serving, if the amount is less 0.49 grams. However that does not mean there are no trans fats in it!

Therefore if you eat many servings of food which claim to not have any trans fats and really take in nearly a 0.5 a gram with each serving, you're obtaining much more than you think.

Read the food label; if there's anything on it which reads "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" that indicates trans fats. Put it down and walk away!

Tip # 2: Exercise is Good for Your Body

I know, exercise is work plus work is a four-letter word. But it actually should be part of a regular routine. Plus while a minimum of 15 minutes a day is best, even thirty minutes three times every week helps!

The trick is to pick something you get pleasure from or can easily do. For instance, if you like window shopping, try mall-walking -- no need to stress concerning the weather.

Would you rather stay inside your house? No problem! A large amount of options here, from one of those does-everything-and-then-some exercise machines to one of the walking videos that really do give you a great workout in 15 to 20 minutes.

A Surprise Tip: Drink Green Tea

Bet you did not expect this tip, but green tea is full of polyphenols, which may help stop cholesterol from becoming glue in your arteries. In fact it's one of the foods which lower cholesterol. It also contains a complete truckload of anti-oxidants that help your body as a whole perform well (as well as your heart).

(If you don't like the aroma of green tea, there are good supplements accessible in capsule form.) So, no reason for not taking green tea! - 32389

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You could be in trouble and not even know it! You'll want to check out the causes of coronary heart disease to see if you're too late...or just in time!

What Is A Heart Arrhythmia?

By Jennifer Ransome

Your heartbeat is triggered by electrical impulses produced by the sinus node, a group of cells located within your right atrium. The electrical signal starts in your atria and works downward toward the ventricles. As it travels, it causes the individual chambers to contract, pumping blood throughout your body. This occurs between 60 and 100 times per minute.

A heart arrhythmia (HA) is a problem that either accelerates or slows your heartbeat. In many cases, they're relatively mild and will not affect your standard of living. However, there are circumstances in which a problematic heartbeat can hamper the flow of blood to the rest of your body. If that happens, an arrhythmia can be potentially life-threatening. Below, we'll describe a few types of arrhythmias that may require medical attention.

Atrial Fibrillation

One of the most common (and serious) forms of HA is atrial fibrillation (AF). This is a condition in which the atria quivers at a rate that can climb to 600 beats per minute. The beat is erratic and disorganized, and fails to travel the normal path from the atria to the ventricles. That prevents the atria from properly pumping blood to the ventricles and out to the rest of your body. Atrial fibrillation is not always life-threatening, but can increase the likelihood of suffering a stroke or heart failure.

Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia

The electrical impulses from the sinus node can occasionally reroute themselves back into the atria rather than traveling through the atrioventricular node to the ventricles. The condition is called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and causes an accelerated heartbeat within the atria. It rarely happens perpetually. Instead, it occurs and ends abruptly.

A condition that is related to PSVT is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. This is characterized by the electrical signals traveling from the atria to the ventricles through an alternate route. The result is an erratic rhythm and heartbeat within the ventricles.

Ventricular Tachycardia And Fibrillation

Ventricular tachycardia is rarely serious. This is an arrhythmia in which the ventricles' rhythm accelerates for a few seconds after which it returns to normal. Having said that, if the rapid beat continues for longer than a few seconds, ventricular tachycardia can become dangerous and lead to ventricular fibrillation (V-fib).

Ventricular fibrillation is characterized by the quivering of the ventricles. When this happens, the ventricles cannot pump blood to the rest of your body. This type of HA is potentially fatal is it is not treated immediately.

Bradyarrhythmias

The arrhythmias described above are tachycardias; they describe circumstances in which your heartbeat accelerates. Bradyarrhythmias represent the opposite effect - a circumstance in which your heart rate slows. In severe cases, the muscle cannot effectively pump blood. As is the case with ventricular fibrillation, it is potentially fatal if not treated quickly.

Not all arrhythmias are serious. However, if you suspect an abnormal heart rate, consult your physician to discuss your options. - 32389

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Finding the right mitral valve surgeon or Maze procedure doctors is crucial. Find a cardiac surgery specialist.