HOW TO BEAT HEART DISEASE: Why it isn't fat that clogs up your arteries. What causes heart disease? A simple enough question, and one you might have thought was settled years ago. But the answer has become a subject of much debate — with implications for many of us on how we lead our lives and the medication we take. For years the finger of blame has pointed at cholesterol, a fatty substance produced by the liver. Scroll down for video While some cholesterol is vital (it helps produce hormones and vitamin D, for instance), the consensus has been that too much — or rather, too much of the bad form, known as low density lipoproteins (LDL) — damages the blood vessels. This leads to risk of blood clots, heart attacks and stroke. This thinking was confirmed in 2. Interheart study reported in the Lancet, which showed that 4. The message on cholesterol has been twofold: avoid foods rich in cholesterol- raising saturated fat such as butter, cream, milk and cheese, and if you’re at risk of heart disease, take cholesterol- busting statins. But is it time this two- track approach was rethought? CUTTING FAT CAN BE BAD FOR YOUCutting cholesterol has been a success, according to Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, who says better diet — plus a four- fold drop in tobacco use — helped to halve death rates from heart disease between 1. The findings were controversial, but Dr Chowdhury is one of an increasing number of scientists who believe current heart health advice is misguided, if not harmful. Yes, according to the cholesterol charity Heart UK, which claims 4 tsp to 6 tsp of one of the spreads or a mini- drink a day can lower bad cholesterol by up to 1. That’s because they contain plant sterols that mimic human cholesterol and so, it’s claimed, effectively block its absorption into the bloodstream. Some experts, though, suggest Heart UK makes too much of the benefits of sterol- enriched foods. Even a 1. 0 per cent reduction won’t make that much difference to your health status, says Peter Weissberg, former Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Cambridge and medical director of the British Heart Foundation. It says that if everyone at risk took a statin, 8,0. By last year, up to ten million Britons were taking the drugs. Of these, one and a half million had survived a heart attack; two million had severe chest pain (angina); with the remainder at risk because of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking or diabetes. One difficult piece of research to explain, published in the American Heart journal in 2. Furthermore, your cholesterol falls naturally with age, particularly in older people with chronic health problems. 9783161495632 3161495632 Galatians and the Imperial Cult - a Critical Analysis of the First-century Social Context of Paul's Letter, Justin K. Kendall Jenner Diet, Workout and Health Secrets. So, what makes Kendall Jenner's looks so amazing? Check out her eating (diet), exercise (workout) habits. And it may be unhealthy to have low levels. A 2. 0- year study published in the Lancet in 2. They are misguided.’So, if cholesterol’s role is over- played, what does cause heart disease? One emerging theory is sugar, which is thought to promote inflammation inside the arteries. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found adults who have three sugary drinks a day had triple the chance of a heart attack. One theory is that sugar encourages a particular type of . If it’s too high, it puts strain on the heart and blood vessels over time. High blood pressure is a major cause of heart disease and the leading risk factor for strokes. But as there are no symptoms, it can remain untreated. While seven million adults in England have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, a further five million are unaware they, too, are affected, according to a recent report. Under current guidelines, people with low to normal blood pressure should have it checked only every five years. However, if you are overweight, over 6. African or Caribbean descent, you should be checked more often, even if your pressure appears to be normal. A recent Public Health England report warns high blood pressure is not being picked up soon enough, and suggests everyone should have their blood pressure tested at any opportunity. Regular monitoring or self- monitoring could also help to identify those who suffer from dramatically fluctuating high blood pressure. Work by Professor Peter Rothwell, of the Oxford Stroke Prevention Research Unit, found that people who had significant swings in blood pressure had a 1. Such people would benefit most from calcium channel blockers, which stabilise blood pressure (drugs such as ACE inhibitors and beta blockers reduce it). The healthiest is . It’s the smallest, most dense forms that are most dangerous because they can penetrate artery walls, setting off inflammation. If the clot closes the artery, that causes a heart attack.’ British experts acknowledge that the theory that inflammation is caused by sugar needs investigation. But increasingly researchers are suggesting it’s part of a bigger picture, with reducing arterial inflammation as the overall priority. Intriguingly, some evidence suggests statins may make an unexpected contribution here, reducing inflammation as well as performing their familiar duty of cutting cholesterol. In the words of Dr Malhotra: . HAVE A WEEKLY SAUNARegular saunas could cut the risk of heart disease by as much as 6. Finnish study. Middle- aged men who took frequent saunas were half as likely to die from heart conditions as those who didn’t take them. The heat raises heart rate, which effectively . BREAKFAST ON PORRIDGEOats contain a soluble fibre, beta- glucan, which lowers bad cholesterol. It forms a thick gel like wallpaper paste, which binds to cholesterol in the gut and prevents its absorption into the bloodstream. Just 3g of beta- glucan a day (an average- sized bowl of porridge or muesli provides 1. Dr Sarah Schenker. She suggests snacking on oatcakes (1g of beta- glucan each) or switching to oat bread (such as Hovis Hearty loaf, 0. Nuts have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, too, possibly because they contain plant sterols, which block the absorption of cholesterol. Try to eat a handful (2. MAKE SURE YOU FLOSS REGULARLYGum disease has been linked to hardening of the arteries and heart attacks — the bacteria that cause tooth decay are thought to trigger inflammation, which has been linked to heart disease. Experts recommend brushing regularly and flossing religiously (and that’s not just when there’s food stuck between your teeth — flossing also breaks down the biofilm that traps the gluey mass of bacteria). HAVE SEX TWICE A WEEKMen who have sex at least twice a week are 4. American Journal of Cardiology study. WEAR A SLEEP MASKLack of sleep is linked to a greater risk of heart attack death: fewer than six hours a night raises it by half, says a study by Warwick University. Visit GLAMOUR to see pictures of celebrity teeth makeovers, including Tom Cruise teeth and celebrities with bad teeth: We take a look at the stars who have put their. Lack of sleep interferes with the appetite hormones ghrelin and leptin, leading to obesity. Ensure that your bedroom is dark or wear a sleep mask, as light suppresses production of the sleep hormone melatonin. They found that attempts to lower salt levels were driving people to increase their consumption of starches and sugars. Dr James Di. Nicolantonio, a cardio- vascular research scientist at St Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, who led the study, says: . BOOK A SUNNY HOLIDAYGoing on holiday regularly cuts the risk of dying from heart disease by a third, say researchers at the University of Pittsburgh. And a holiday somewhere sunny could boost the benefits. Last year, the universities of Southampton and Edinburgh found that sunshine alters levels of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, helping blood pressure to fall. EAT A POT OF YOGHURTA daily dose of . WATCH A FUNNY FILM WITH FRIENDSA good belly laugh can boost blood flow by more than 2. Research by Robert Provine, a U. S. DON'T DELAY GOING TO THE LOO A small study of people with early heart disease in Taiwan suggested that an over- full bladder can cause your heart to beat faster and put unnecessary stress on coronary arteries, triggering them to contract. GET A SIT- STAND DESKResearch suggests sitting for eight hours a day raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes by 4. One study found sitting for more than four hours means you’re twice as likely to get heart disease, even if you work out. Try a . Aim for a total of two hours at least, ideally four, a day. VARIDESK, from . DOWNLOAD A 'MINDFULNESS' APPA recent study by Brown University in the U. S. Though mindfulness — a form of meditation — is known to be deeply relaxing, the study’s lead author, epidemiologist Professor Eric Loucks, says mindful people also usually lead healthier lives. Cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra recommends Headspace, an app that teaches mindfulness techniques. Head space, free for ten days, then . CUT BACK ON SALAMIVegetarians have a lower risk of heart disease — but if you can’t stomach going fully veggie, a recent Harvard study found that switching from three meat- based meals a day to three a week cuts heart disease risk by 1. Replace meat with foods rich in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, and fruit, vegetables and pulses to boost your fibre intake. An extra 2. 0g of fibre could lower bad cholesterol levels by 1. Pay particular attention to processed red meat such as sausages, salami, bacon and ham. A Swedish study last year found that men who ate the most processed red meat were more than twice as likely to die from heart failure. LOSE HALF A STONEStudies have consistently shown that losing 5 to 1. GLUG A LITTLE OLIVE OIL EVERY DAYThe Mediterranean diet — which is rich in fish, vegetables, fruit and olive oil — can protect against heart disease. But it’s olive oil in particular that appears to have a potent anti- inflammatory effect. Cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra, who says he has at least 4tbsp of extra virgin olive oil a day, explains: . Each is highly effective — provided it’s used for the right patients. Experts warn that patients need to understand exactly what each promises. The first option is a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) — often called angioplasties.
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