Despite healthy
cholesterol levels, new research shows many people are at high risk of heart
attacks because of painless inflammation in the bloodstream.
The inflammation comes
from many sources and triggers heart attacks by weakening the walls of blood
vessels, making fatty buildups burst. A large study published Thursday concludes
it is twice as likely as high cholesterol to trigger heart attacks.
Over the past five
years, research by Dr. Paul Ridker of Boston's Brigham and Women’s Hospital has
built the case for the "inflammation hypothesis." With his latest study, many
believe the evidence is overwhelming that inflammation is a central factor in
cardiovascular disease, by far the world's biggest killer.
"I don't think it's a
hypothesis anymore. It's proven," said Dr. Eric Topol, chief of cardiology at
the Cleveland Clinic. Inflammation can be measured with a test that checks for
C-reactive protein, or CRP, a chemical necessary for fighting injury and
infection. The test typically costs between $25 and $50.
Diet and exercise can
lower CRP dramatically. Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins also reduce
CRP, as do aspirin and some other medicines.
Doctors believe the
condition often begins when the fatty buildups that line the blood vessels
become inflamed as white blood cells invade in a misguided defense attempt. Fat
cells are also known to turn out these inflammatory proteins. Other possible
triggers include high blood pressure, smoking and lingering infections, such as
chronic gum disease.
Source: Diabetes In Control Dot Com.
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