I was browsing the internet to find some useful information about this post and came across a site which listed the top 12 heart disease myths. The site link is http://www.heartpoint.com/dozendangers.html
This information is presented by a practicing cardiologist who is the medical Director of HeartPoint. He stated he gets a lot of questions about heart disease. The doctor also said he was consistently surprised how few “facts” have engrained themselves deeply into “common knowledge”. The myths are not only wrong, but are often dangerously misleading to those who choose to believe them. Here are twelve of the most dangerous MYTHS the doctor runs into, and discussions about each one.
MYTH # 1:
Those medicines for cholesterol will mess up your liver. Don’t take them!
THE FACTS
The level and type of cholesterol in the blood remains one of the most important determinants of the risk of developing blockages of the arteries, and the ensuing complications of heart attacks, stroke, death, etc. A good diet, maintaining ideal body weight, and exercise can help reduce the risks, but some people will have high cholesterol and bad events despite following the guidelines.
We are fortunate to live in an age when we have agents that will help us reach desireable goals of both good and bad cholesterol. Statin agents (such as “Zocor”, “Mevacor”, “Pravachol”, “Baycol” and “Lipitor”) are potent agents which can lower even markedly elevated levels of bad cholesterol. Agents such as Lopid or Tricor (these are called “fibrate agents”) can lower triglycerides and raise good cholesterol. A naturally occuring vitamin (niacin) has now been developed in a long-acting formulation (“Niaspan”) which not only lowers bad cholesterol, lowers triglycerides, and raises good cholesterol, but lowers the amount of other toxic types of cholesterol such as “lipoprotein (a)”. There is abundant information from well-designed clinical trials to show that these agents not only make the levels of these substances better, but clearly lower the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, etc.
Yes, like all other medicines, there may be side effects . . . but they are generally mild, can be caught early with blood tests, and are reversible.
If your cholesterol is high, particularly if you have other “risk factors” for having a heart attack or stroke, doesn’t it make more sense to lower your risks of averting these catastrophes by 30-45%? Don’t be scared off by a medicine that causes side effects which are mild and reversible and occur in a much lower number of people!
These medications are one of the most effective means to lower the risks of death and disability from disease of the blood vessels. Proper monitoring minimizes the low incidence of side effects.
CONCLUSION
These medications are one of the most effective means to lower the risks of death and disability from diseases of the blood vessels (atherosclerosis and hardening of the arteries). Proper monitoring minimizes the low incidence of side effects.
All of this great information about heart disease myths came from here:
http://www.heartpoint.com/myth1.html
Tomorrow we will uncover heart disease myth #2.
To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newletter!
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