Higher Total Cholesterol May Increase The Risk of Plaque Rupture!

We always accuse LDL (so-called bad cholesterol) as the culprit that causes heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, etc. Not so much attention is given to someone with higher than average total cholesterol level, provided the HDL (good cholesterol) level is at healthy level.

However, the findings of a new study conducted by a group of investigators from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore may change such perspective. Published in February 2008 in the medical journal Stroke, the report revealed that the total blood levels of cholesterol in individuals without symptoms but have thickened walls of the carotid arteries are strongly associated with the presence of a lipid (or fat-based) core within plaque, which can cause the arteries to rupture.

The carotid arteries are two major arteries located on each side of the neck that provide blood and oxygen to the brain.

Made up of fatty dead tissue deposits, a lipid core within an atherosclerotic plaque puts the plaque at risk for causing an adverse clinical event, such as a stroke if the plaque is in the carotid artery or a heart attack if the plaque is in the coronary artery.

By taking part in a study of atherosclerosis (also referred to as hardening of the arteries), the participants were examined by ultrasound to ensure they are free from cardiovascular disease and those with the thickest carotid artery walls were selected.

The researchers used MRI and analysis software to assess the composition of 214 plaques with a thickness of at least 1.5 millimeter and found a lipid core in 151 (71 percent) of these plaques.

Compared with patients with the lowest levels of total blood cholesterol, those with medium levels had a 2.8-fold increased risk of having a lipid core, after adjusting the possible effects of age, sex, high blood pressure and diabetes. Those with the highest cholesterol levels had a 4.6-fold increased risk of having a plaque with a lipid core. None of the cardiovascular risk factors other than high serum cholesterol was associated with having a lipid core.

The researchers concluded that a person’s total cholesterol level is the most important risk factor for developing the dangerous feature of plaque mentioned above. This indeed supports the claim that by lowering a person’s cholesterol level and hence the risk of the formation of lipid core might reduce his or her risk of the possible clinical events.

The Denmark's Experience In Handling The Trans Fat Issue!

The Danish Nutrition Council recognized the harms of Trans Fat: increase the bad cholesterol level (LDL) and decrease the good cholesterol level (HDL) which may increase the risk of getting heart disease.

Hence in 1990s, Denmark made margarine makers to reduce Trans Fat levels. As a result, the national average consumption of Trans Fat fell from about 2.5 g per day to between 1 g and 2 g per day.

However, Denmark aims for a healthy level of Trans Fat consumption, which is zero, instead of a compromise level of about 2 g. Realizing its citizens were still consuming a lot of Trans Fat from imported food, Denmark finally announced a ban on Trans Fat in 2003.

Significant response was reflected among the food industries. The manufacturers had no choice but had to reformulate its products to reduce Trans Fat for all of Europe.

Meanwhile, Danes are not complaining that they have fewer choices in food. For example, they are still enjoying French fries and chicken nuggets from McDonald’s. The only difference is theirs contain a mere 0.33 g of Trans Fat.

Changes in Lifestyle Can Improve Blood Vessels in Obese Children

The blood vessels of obese children show changes that can lead to heart disease later in life. However, research showed that these changes can be reversed through changing their diet and doing regular exercise.

The study was conducted on 82 overweight children. The children were put on a low-fat diet either alone or in combination with a structured exercise program for 6 weeks. After this period, all 41 children from the diet-only group and 22 of the 41 children from diet and exercise group continued their respective regiments for 1 year.

During the first 6 weeks, both groups of children did experience a drop in blood cholesterol levels and an improvement in blood vessel function. However, researchers noted that the beneficial effects on blood vessel function were more pronounced among children from the diet and exercise group, as compared with children from the diet-only group. At a later stage of the study, further improvements were noticed in blood vessel function of those children who continued their exercise programs. Fewer benefits were observed in children who were on the diet-only program.

This study provides conclusive evidence that blood vessel dysfunction in overweight children can be corrected by lifestyle modification including dietary changes and physical exercise.

Fat and Cholesterol

Fat and cholesterol are not the same. However, both cholesterol and saturated fats in diet may raise blood cholesterol level which may eventually cause heart disease. Therefore, it is recommended that you should take only 15 to 32g of saturated fat and less than 300mg of cholesterol per day. You should avoid fried and oily food and replace saturated fats with poly-unsaturated fats (such as some vegetable and fish oils) and mono-unsaturated fats (such as olive and canola oils).

2 Simple Principles To Prevent Heart Disease

Using easily-remembered numbers 3-5-7, the following two simple principles can help you prevent heart disease:

3-5-7 Healthy Heart Diet Principles
3 Highs (high in fiber, freshness, plant-based protein);
5 Lows (low in fat, cholesterol, salt, sugar and alcohol); and
70% Full for your diet.

3-5-7 Healthy Heart Exercise Principles
3 kilometers walk (or 5000 steps) per day;
5 times a week; and
Exercise heart rate at less than (170 minus Age) beats per minute. For example, if your age is 40, then your exercise heart rate should not exceed 130 beats per minute.

Stress and smoking can cause heart disease too, so do manage your stress level and stay away from smoking.