CIRCULAN

CORONARY artery disease (CAD) is a condition that occurs when the

arteries carrying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked
entirely by deposits of plaque, a thick, yellowish, waxy substance.
Plaque consists of cholesterol, a fat or lipid that is produced in the
liver, as well as many different types of cells. When the flow of blood
is cut off to the heart, the result is a heart attack.

Fatty deposits, or atheroma, can form in your arteries, and this narrowing of
the passageways is part of a condition that is called atherosclerosis. If your
coronary arteries become narrowed, they can fail to provide your heart with
enough oxygen and other nutrients. Also, the blood that flows through the
arteries may form a clot, or thrombus, which can block an artery. In response
to any physical or psychological stress, your heart beats faster and your
blood pressure goes up. Your heart requires increased oxygen and nutrients,
but severely narrowed or blocked arteries cannot cope. The resulting
discrepancy between demand and supply causes angina, or chest pain. If the
blood flow to part of your heart muscle is suddenly reduced by a clot in one of
your coronary arteries, you will have a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Coronary artery disease affects people of all races, but the incidence is
extremely high among whites. However, race itself doesn?t seem to be as
important a factor as a person?s lifestyle. Here are some facts that can help
you determine whether you are likely to have coronary artery disease.

1. More young men than young women have coronary artery disease, but the
risk to women increases at menopause, and women over sixty-five are almost
as susceptible to the disorder as are men.

2. If you smoke cigarettes, you are at least twice as susceptible as a non-

smoker. Deaths from the disorder in the 35 to 45 age group are five times
more common in smokers.

3. There is an increased risk if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

Males with diabetes are twice as susceptible as other men, and females with
diabetes are five times as susceptible as other women.

4. Coronary artery disease seems to run in the families. You are more at risk if
several of your close relatives have had it.

5. If you are overweight, you are more at risk than a person of normal weight.

6. If you have a sedentary job you may be at risk than other people whose
work include some physical labor.

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7. If you are a woman over 35 who take birth control pills and also smoke
cigarettes, you are at increased risk of having coronary disease.

8. If you have an extremely high cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

What should be done?

Coronary artery disease is much more easily prevented than it is treated. If

you are worried that you may be at risk, start taking preventive measures.
Too often, sudden death is the first sign of the disease.

First, you reduce your risk of having a heart attack by maintaining normal
blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Ideally, cholesterol levels should
be below 200 mg/dl. More important, you should have a good ratio between
LDL (low density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol and HDL (high density
cholesterol) or good cholesterol. To ensure the right amount of each type of
cholesterol, the ratio between total cholesterol and HDL should not exceed
6:1. Therefore, if your total cholesterol is 240 mg/dl. HDL should be 40 or
more.

Triglycerides, type of fat that can be found in the blood, over 190 mg/dl in
women increases the risk of heart attack; for men, levels of above 400 mg/dl
are a sign of potential danger.

Diet influences the total cholesterol level ? and thus the risk of coronary
artery disease. Changing the diet (and taking prescribed medications if
needed) can lower cholesterol levels. Lowering levels of total cholesterol and
bad cholesterol slows or reverses the progress of coronary artery disease.

The benefits of lowering levels of bad cholesterols are greatest in patients

with other risk factors of coronary artery disease. These risks include
cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, inactivity, high triglycerides
level, and a genetic predisposition. Quitting smoking, lowering blood
pressure, losing weight, and increasing exercises decrease the risk of
coronary artery disease.

Recommendations:

* Include in your diet the following foods to help in lowering cholesterol:

Apples, bananas, carrots, cold-water fish, dried beans, garlic, grapefruits, and
olive oil.

* Take plenty of fiber in the form of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Oat
bran and brown rice is the best foods for lowering cholesterol.

* Do not eat any nuts except walnuts, which can be eaten in moderation. Eat
walnuts only if they are raw and have been kept tightly sealed or refrigerated.

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* Reduce the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. Saturated
fats include all the fats of animal origin as well as coconut and palm kernel
oils.

* Do not consume alcohol, cakes, candy, carbonated drinks, coffee, processed

or refined foods, fried or fatty foods.

* You may consume non-fat milk, low-fat cottage cheese, and skinless white
poultry meat (preferably turkey), but in moderation.

* Get regular moderate exercises. Always consult your doctor before

beginning any exercise program.

* Try to avoid tension and learn stress-management techniques.

* Other foods that lower cholesterol include: Prunes, cucumber contain a

compound called sterol in their skin; chili pepper-contain Capsaicin, a
substance that reduces cholesterol and triglycerides; Green tea contains
catechins; Grapes and wine contain resveratrol which reduces cholesterol.

Considerations:

* Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish such as mackerel, salmon, tuna, and
sardines, can also lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

* Certain vitamins are believed to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.
Antioxidants (beta-carotene, vitamin C and E, and selenium) prevent the
oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol, which may lead to the formation of
plaque.

* Vitamin B, particularly niacin and pantothenine, a metabolite of pantothenic

acid, is potent cholesterol buster that also cuts triglycerides.

* Certain drugs can elevate cholesterol levels. These include steroids, oral
contraceptives, furosemide and other diuretics, levodopa, which is used to
treat Parkinson?s disease. Beta-blockers, often prescribed to control high
blood pressure, can cause unfavorable changes in the ratio of LDL to HDL in
the blood.

* Some people claim that taking charcoal tablets lowers blood cholesterol.
However, charcoal also absorbs good nutrients along with cholesterol.

Herbs:

The following herbs support the heart and circulatory system:

1. Crataegus extract (Hawthorn berries extract) ? this herb benefits the

heart in many ways. It works as a vasedilator, that is, it increases the flow of
blood and oxygen to the heart. It also lowers blood pressure, thus reducing

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the work required by the heart to pump blood throughout the body. At the
same time, it helps strengthen the heart muscle. It is often used to protect
against the beginning stages of heart disease for mild heart muscle
weakness, pressure and tightness of the chest, and mild arrhythmia. It is also
used as a tonic for an aging heart.

2. Ginkgo biloba extract ? one of the most well-researched herbs in the

world.

Ginkgo exerts a positive effect on the vascular system. It increases blood flow
to the brain and lower extremities. Ginkgo has been shown to improve
memory and to relieve signs of senility. Reduces risk of Alzheimer?s disease,
vascular impotence, lower leg cramps, complications of diabetes mellitus
such as retinopathy and renal failure, depression and stroke. Successfully
used to treat hemorrhoids and veins.

3. Garlic oil extract ? the wonder drug of the herbal world. It is used as an
anticoagulant to resolve fresh blood clots and has been shown to lower
cholesterol and triglycerides. Garlic reduces blood pressure by acting as a
vasodilator. It raises the levels of the beneficial high-density lipoproteins
(HDL), which is the good cholesterol.

4. Melissa officinalis extract (Lemon balm) ? known as a tonic remedy

that raises the spirit and lifts the heart. Analysis shows that effects of the
plant?s volatile oils have a mild sedative, calming effect, and anti-spasmodic
properties, which also makes lemon balm helpful for promoting menstrual
periods and relieving menstrual cramps. It is often used for insomnia, anxiety,
depression, palpitation, and as a remedy for colds and flu. Melissa officinalis
also possesses anti-viral properties, blocks viruses from attacking the cells.

The four mentioned herbs are now in one capsule called Circulan. To be
taken one capsule twice daily after meal. Circulan is available at all leading
drug stores nationwide.

Remember:

Many people live for years with coronary artery disease and have no trouble.
Others may be forced to modify their activities because of recurrent attacks
of angina. Many of these people can also lead relatively active lives as long
as they keep the disease under control and take medications that help
restore the balance between demand for oxygen and nutrients and the ability
of the narrowed or obstructed coronary artery meets this demand. Some
people must live a much more restricted life, being careful to avoid even
slight physical or emotional stress. Yet, if they can adjust emotionally, even
people with severe disease can be comfortable.

Dr. Gary S. Sy, M.D. is the Medical Director of Life Extension Medical Center
located at The Garden Plaza Hotel (formerly Swiss Inn Hotel) 1370 General
Luna St. Paco, Manila. He is a Diplomate in Gerontology and Geriatrics,

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advocates Diet-nutritional Therapy, and conducts free seminar every Friday
about age-related health problems. For more more details please call
telephone numbers: 400-42-05 or 522-48-35 local 315.

E-mail Address: [email protected].

Please tune in at DZRH 666 khz "Operation Tulong" every Friday at 10 p.m.
and DZMM 630 khz "Gabay sa Kalusugan on Radio" every Sunday at 11:00
a.m.-12:00 n.n.