Heart Health

Orginally published: Jan 11, 2025

Updated periodically 

 

 

"Researchers found that women with the highest levels of LDL cholesterol had a 36% increased associated risk for heart disease compared to those with the lowest levels. Those with the highest levels of Lp(a) had a 33% increased associated risk, and those with the highest levels of CRP had a 70% increased associated risk.

    When all three measures — LDL cholesterol, Lp(a) and CRP — were assessed together, participants with the highest levels had more than a 1.5-times increased associated risk for stroke and more than a three-times increased associated risk for coronary heart disease compared to women with the lowest levels."

Although the study focused on women, the researchers believe that similar findings would likely apply to men as well.

https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2405182

Sedentary children develop a less robust heart leading to a 2x increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and death as adults

https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/increased-sedentary-time-in-children-linked-to-higher-risk-of-heart-attack-stroke-in-adulthood-study-5479875?
Microplastics/nanoplastics in arterial plaque lead to 4.5x increased risk of heart attack stroke
https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2309822

Short bursts of vigorous exercise associated with tasks of daily living (8.1 minutes a day) in seniors (mean age 61.8), who do not exercise, reduces mortality 4.00x (compared to doing none) (6.20x lower cardiovascular disease mortality, 4.56x lower cancer mortality) (2.48x reduction in mortality when doing 4.7 minutes a day) "Brief and sporadic (for example, up to 1 or up to 2 minutes long) bouts of vigorous-intensity physical activity done as part of daily living, such as bursts of very fast walking while commuting to work or moving from place to place, or stair climbing" (hypothesized to be an easier target to aim for in terms of physical activity). Vigorous exercise in exercisers and vigorous exercise associated with daily living had a nearly identical effect on health in this study (which makes sense). Activity was measured using a wearable device (smartphone/fitbit/apple-watch)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-02100-x 

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease

See the following master lists for overcoming high blood pressure in a natural/integrative way

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2010/3/reduce-blood-pressure-naturally (Accessed: Nov 20, 2024)

https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/lower-it-fast (Accessed: Nov 20, 2024)   

LDL particle size is important for heart health (small particles caused by high glycemic index foods more dangerous than large particles of LDL which are often caused by saturated fat) (obesity page has some heart tips also)