When you clicked this page, what did you expect to see....?  I am going to take a guess and say that your predominant thought around this area was cholesterol. Am I right...?  I said Cardiovascular System and you automatically thought about cholesterol levels.  In fact cholesterol levels are more of a correlation to liver and thyroid efficiency, yet the pharmaceutical and allopathic medical community would have you believe that the only indicator of good cardiovascular health is your cholesterol levels.   Come with me...

Here is a list of what you need to know and why, in order to fully determine the health status of your Cardiovascular System:

First you need to know what it entails -

    

Your autonomic nervous systems inspires your little muscular organ, called your heart, to beat some where in the range of 100,000 times a day.  Your heart, just for reference sake, is about the size of your hand clenched. Cardiac performance is influenced by many factors including heart rate, ventricular contraction, atrial function, neural control, drugs, and hormonal and metabolic products.

The cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting oxygen molecules that were picked up by your lungs and delivered to your heart for circulation to the rest of your over thirty trillion cells.  The blood that is pumped through your heart also delivers nutrient molecules that were first delivered to your liver via the portal vien from the small intestinal tract through the tiny microvilli that you've heard me talk about.  Metabolic waste products are carried away from the cells via the cardiovascular system.  Hormones along with other vital substances are transported compliments of the cardiovascular system.  In a nutshell, your blood supply, in the amount of approximately 2000 gallons per day, is the river of rich gifts to your cells and your cardiovascular system ensures goods are delivered in a timely fashion and waste is carried away to keep everything clean and running efficiently. In fact, the river runs deep and long.  The network of arteries, capillaries and veins make up over 60,000 miles.  Arteries carry oxygen rich blood to the cells and viens carry oxygen depleted blood to the heart to be enriched.  Artery wall are thicker than the walls of veins.  Veins actually have a stop valve which prevents blood from flowing backwards.  Fascinating stuff

And now you need to know how to fully and properly assess the health status:

Thank you to Great Smokies Laboratory in the Great Smoky Mountains for being my primary teacher and wonderful guide through this incredibly important and grossly misunderstood area of vital health.

If cholesterol levels was such an accurate and remarkably reliable indicator of a healthy or diseased cardiovascular system then why are the current stats so prevalent:

In the U.S, approximately 500,000 bypass procedures will occur this 2006 year.  That does not include balloon angioplasty procedures, transplants or cardiac catheterization.  Bypass surgery alone is a multi-billion dollar industry.  According to financial stats obtained by Great Smokies Lab, the price tag for combined cardiovascular procedures was in the neighbourhood of 259,1 billion per year and climbing. Did those individuals not have their cholesterol checked? In fact cholesterol levels are a minor player in the health status of your heart.  If you follow the research done by Great Smokies Lab or the Weston A. Price organization, to name just a couple, you will see that high or low cholesterol is not a good indicator of your chances of having a cardiac "accident".  www.gsdl.com  and www.westonaprice.org along with the research of just great Physicians as the Swedish Dr. Ravnoskov MD PhD on  The Cholesterol Myth, are links that will lead to new knowledge and new knowledge with give you insight to managing your health.

What you are going to learn here is about Cardio Markers that will decidedly give you the possibility of early detention, that can offer you up the ability to change the path and progression of this disease.

Consider the following factors when you are looking at the bigger picture of cardiovascular health

• Family history and the pattern of cardiovascular 'accidents'.  That includes heart related and strokes
• High Blood Pressure or Hypertension
• Obesity
• Thyroid Deficiency
• Autoimmune disease
• Diabetes
• The presence of transfats, hydrogenated fats, fried foods, regular use of margarines, vegetable oils such as corn oil. 
• When you visit my link to Fats and Oils you will get a more comprehensive understanding of healthy and unhealthy fats/oils
• Recreational, otherwise known as illegal, drugs
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Renal or Kidney disease
• Hormonal imbalance
• Lack of exercise or sedentary lifestyle
• Generally poor nutrition intake. 
• High unhealthy fats, processed foods, sugars, you know of what I speak. 
• Those are some of the major health risks and factors when considering the cardiovascular system.

To follow is are a comprehensive list of blood tests that paint the rest of the picture:

Let's start with Blood lipids:

Blood Lipids include common tests that you are likely already familiar with

Total Cholesterol:. Cholesterol is a sterol and an abundant steroid in the tissue.  It is a precursor to hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, cortisol and DHEA.  It is a vital to cell membrane integrity as well it acts as a vital protector against free radical damage and certain cancers.   Cholesterol is mainly sythesized in the liver and intestinal tract, about 70-80%, the balance of the source is dietary. Normal levels are considered to be between 175 mg/dl and 250mg/dl.

LDL
LDL is low density lipoproteins.  It is called low density because as this lipidprotein transports cholesterol to the cell so it considered already filled with cargo.  70% of LDL is reemoved every day.  Elevated levels are considered a
major factor in heart disease.

 

HDL

HDL is high density lipoproteins.  High density is interpretted as a good marker for cardiovascular heath.  The role of HDL in the protection against heart disease is linked to the ability of HDL in its role of scavenging and storing excess cholesterol and LDL from plasma. The LDL/HDL ratio is a well established and research cardiovascular marker.

 

Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid.  High levels of homocysteine indicates damage to the protective cellular layers of the arterial wall known as endothelial cells.  Endothelial cell are permiable and allow certain substances to pass through the plasma to the underlayer of the three layers of the arterial wall.  Homocysteine acts as an abrasive molecule that can damage the endothelial cells and cause atherosclerotic lesions.  Homosteine is a strong cardiovascular predictor than lipids and cholesterol, according to some MD's, including the work of the Weston A. Price association. High levels of homocysteine are associated with multiple sclerosis, alzheimer's, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis to name just a few conditions affected by elevated levels. 

A healthy range has been difficult to determine, however, anyone with a ready over 6 should take measures to put the proper nutraceuticals in place to lower or break down homocysteine.

Ways to breakdown or avoid the consumption of homocysteine byproducts is as follows:

Nutraceuticals:

Trimethylglycine or TMJ

B6

B12

Folic Acid are nutraceuticals that I have personal used with my clients.  I have personally seen reductions from 11 to 6 within a four month treatment protocol.

 

Dietary Precautions: Avoid red meat during the treatment and in all cases avoid the burnt charcoal portion of meat which is a major source of dietary homocysteine.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are fatty acids resulting from excessive circulating glucose. Diets high in process foods and high carbohydrate diets are signifigantly correlated with high serum triglycerides.

Lipoprotein(a)

Lipoproteins are high-molecular-weight particles that transport water-insoluble lipids (primarily triglycerides and cholesterol esters) through the plasma. Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), consists of an LDL molecule covalently bound to the protein component apolipoprotein(a).

Research over the last twenty years has underscored the critical relationship between Lp(a) and coronary artery disease, delineating its causative role in atherothrombogenesis and its strong association with both coronary and peripheral cardiac events. As many as 40% of individuals who suffer myocardial infarction do not display conventional factors of concern such as fatty diets, lack of exercise, hypertension, smoking and high cholesterol. Largely hereditary, Lp(a) is unaffected by many of these external influences associated with heart disease, and thus helps explain why a seemingly “healthy” patient may experience a MI, while an "unhealthy" patient, with a preponderance of various other biochemical and lifestyle factors, may not.

Lp(a) has been cited as a better predictor of coronary disease severity than most other lipid parameters. Doetch, Roheim, and Thompson referred to Lp(a) as the most important genetic factor associated with early atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

Although its exact physiological mechanisms have not yet been fully determined, there are a variety of ways that Lp(a) could promote the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Lp(a) binds to endothelial and macrophage cells, fibrinogen and fibrin, promoting the deposit of cholesterol and other fatty waste in the vascular endothelium. Lp(a) also prevents clot lysis, adding fibrin and other debris to atherosclerotic plaque. Another theory is that by inhibiting plasminogen activity, Lp(a) prevents the activation by plasmin of latent transforming growth factor-beta. This action suppresses smooth muscle cell growth, encouraging the proliferation of muscle cells commonly seen in atherosclerotic lesions.

Lp(a) is also an accurate indicator for assessing the extent of carotid atherosclerosis, and an elevated serum level can serve as the most significant indicator of patients in which cerebral infarction is a concern.

Apolipoprotein A-1

A protein component of various lipo- protein complexes, Apo A-1 is the major constituent of HDL, and higher levels of this protein are predictive of a decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease. In a controlled study of adolescents with a family history of coronary heart disease, French researchers found that in young men, Apo A-1 was the best predictor of family history of early myocardial infarction, while in young women it was HDL-C. In a Mayo Clinic study, cardiovascular specialists argued that plasma apolipoprotein levels-particularly A-1 and A-2-may be considerably better markers than traditional lipid determinants.⁵⁶

Apolipoprotein B

Another protein component of lipo- proteins, Apo B is the primary substance in LDL and is thus associated with an increased incidence of coronary artery disease. Reinhart and others concluded that both apolipoproteins A-1 and B provide important information about the presence of coronary artery disease. Researchers at Johns Hopkins went even further, asserting that the “non-traditional” markers apo A-1 and Apo B were better indicators of premature coronary atherosclerosis than plasma lipoproteins.

Ratio of Apo B/Apo A-1

One study on 225 patients with angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease concluded that the strongest association between coronary artery disease and blood analytes was found in the ratio of Apo B/A-1. Van Stiphout and his colleagues compared lipid levels in two groups: children of fathers with severe coronary atherosclerosis and children whose fathers were free of atherosclerosis. They found a higher ratio of Apo B/Apo A-1 in sons of fathers with severe coronary atherosclerosis, and suggested that the ratio be used to detect children who have an increased probability of developing severe atherosclerosis in later life.⁶⁰ These findings were supported by a study done by Beigel and others, which identified the Apo B/ Apo A-1 ratio as the best predictor of a family history of coronary artery disease in children, and an important consideration in their cardiovascular health.

Fibrinogen

A globulin synthesized in the liver, fibrinogen strongly affects blood coagulation, blood rheology and platelet aggregation. It has direct effects on the vascular wall and is a prominent acute-phase reactant. Fibrinogen plays a key role in arterial occlusion by promoting atherosclerotic plaque, thrombus formation, endothelial injury, and hyperviscosity. Recently, researchers discovered fibrinogen involvement in the subclinical phase of extracoronary and coronary atherosclerosis. They postulated that a synergistic effect existed between the total cholesterol/HDL ratio and fibrinogen, with fibrinogen acting as a potential trigger for the atherogenic effect of hyperlipidemia. This discovery underscores the importance of using comprehensive testing to accurately assess cardiovascular status.

Another study on over 200 stroke patients established a link between fibrinogen plasma levels and brain infarction mortality. Fibrinogen can be increased by smoking, obesity, inflammation, stress, oral contra-ceptives, and aging.

C-Reactive Protein

Inflammation may be a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis. C-reactive protein is a marker associated with production of inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines appear to encourage coagulation and damage to the vascular endothelium, increasing the potential threat to cardiovascular health.

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for systemic inflammation, is a strong predictor of myocardial infarction and stroke. Men with CRP values in the highest quartile had three times the incidence of myocardial infarction and two times the incidence of ischemic stroke. Significantly, these relationships remained steady over long periods, and were independent of other lipid and non-lipid factors, including smoking. Evidence suggests that previous infection with pathogens such as Chlamydia pneumoniae or Helicobacter pylori may initially trigger the chronic inflammation detected by CRP. Researchers thus theorize that one way aspirin improves cardiovascular function is through its anti-inflammatory effect, and the subsequent lowering of C-reactive protein levels.

Oxidative Stress Analysis

Oxidation of lipids in the bloodstream is a crucial mechanism for setting off the damaging process of atherosclerosis.

Treatment Plans:

Once the result of the tests have been accumulated and evaluated, there are simply, wonderful ways to improve your cardiovascular health.  Let's look at some of them:

Homocysteine: As I mentioned earlier, time and again I have worked with individuals with high homocysteine levels.  I use a combination of TMG, Folic Acid, B12, B6.  Consistently the serum marker decreases signifigantly.  In fact, believe it or not, in spite of the remarkable evidence, I have encountered numerous allopathic physicians that tell their patients that high homocyteine, by high I am talking values exceeding 11, that there is no risk indicator.  In that case, I ask my clients to do their own due diligence and research the evidence.  It is very important to me that where my knowledge and allopathic medicine do not match, that my clients make their own determination and their own decision.  Time and again, they opt for treatment.  Time and again, I support their decision.

Once test results have been carefully evaluated, numerous therapeutic interventions can be implemented to significantly improve cardiovascular health. Conditions such as hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL cholesterol, for example, can often be managed through a treatment program that addresses diet, weight control, exercise, and smoking cessation. Homocysteine is a modifiable CV factor that can often be effectively treated with vitamin supplements such as B6, B12 and folic acid. Niacin and neomycin have been shown to reduce serum Lp(a) levels in patients with hyperlipidaemia.^79-81 And combined hormone therapy using progesterone and estradiol effectively can also lower Lp(a).

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