What are the important facts and statistics about heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis?

• Most heart attacks and strokes are due to arterial disease known as atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries."

• Over 2,000 Americans die each day from heart attacks and stroke – one out of every 3 deaths or one every 40 seconds.

• Cardiovascular disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined.

• Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the world and the leading cause of death in the United States, killing over 375,000 people per year.

• Stroke is the #5 cause of death in the United States, killing 129,000 people per year. 

• About 795,000 people have a stroke every year in the US.

• Stroke is the leading preventable cause of disability.

• About 8.5 million Americans are living with some consequence of cardiovascular disease or the after-effects of stroke.

• About 635,000 people in the US have a first time heart attack each year and 300,000 have recurrent heart attacks.

• Screening for arterial disease can be more effective, less invasive, efficient, and less expensive than most of us think. Here is why you should schedule a CureScreen Ultrasound appointment:

• It is very common. In reality, eveyone should be presumed guilty until proven innocent, or free of disease. It is a Catastrophic Unseen Reversible Epidemic thst stands for CURE.

• Six of every ten Americans who have suffered a heart attack never knew they had cardiovascular disease.

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, yet most are not screened optimally compared to screening for cancer.

• Only 54 percent of women recognize that heart disease is their number one killer.

• Arterial disease kills and disables far more women than all the cancers combined, yet most women (and men) are not screened optimally for arterial disease.

• Even those with exemplary lifestyles and those who pass standard testing (like stress tests) can suffer events. Standard testing misses all but the more advanced most dangerous stages of the disease. Early detection and treatment is the hallmark of any successful strategy for disease cure when it is infection or cancer. It should and can be the same for arterial disease.

Take the first step in preventing heart attack and stroke. Schedule a simple, 15-minute CureScreen or request a complementary Discovery Zoom Call with Dr. Backs.

What is lipoprotein A/Lp(a)? Why could it put me at high risk for heart attack and stroke?

Lipoprotein A or Lp(a) is a subtype of LDL cholesterol. The BaleDoneen Method calls Lp(a) the "mass murderer" because elevated levels of Lp(a) triples your risk of heart attack and stroke. At the CureCenter, we call it the “worst” or “really bad” cholesterol. Think of it as “highly flammable” lipid.

Elevated Lp(a) affects around 30% of the population, yet it is not included in standard lipid testing. Why?

In the past, the test for Lp(a) was expensive. Today, it only costs about $10 and is becoming more common, yet still not routine. Change in practice tends to be slow, particularly in bureaucratic systems designed to keep revenue flowing through interventions. New drugs and associated revenue are on the horizon, potentially explaining a resurgence in interest.

What causes elevated Lp(a)?

Elevated Lp(a) is a genetically determined root cause with little impact from lifestyle or medications.

Genetics determines Lp(a) levels. You are much more likely to have elevated Lp(a) if you have a family history of high Lp(a).

Why does elevated Lp(a) increase risk for heart attack and stroke?

Lp(a) is made of cholesterol, protein, and fat. Elevated levels (>75 mg/dl) increase the likelihood of development of atherosclerosis, leading to heart attack and stroke. Elevated Lp(a) also increases the risk of calcific aortic stenosis, a valve disease that can lead to heart failure. Finally, it accelerates blood clotting. When atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, a blood clot forms more rapidly to occlude blood flow leading to a stroke or heart attack.

When combined with high levels of inflammation, elevated Lp(a) fuels that inflammation in the artery wall and leads to the formation of plaque.

Lp(a) is not included in standard lipid panels ordered by most doctors. It should be.

While its effect is often lost in the statistics of large population studies, Lipoprotein (a) can be dangerous for the minority with significantly elevated levels. For this reason, everyone should have it measured once, especially if you have:

• Family members who have had a heart attack or stroke at an early age

• Premature vascular disease in the absence of other usual risk factors

• Familial hypercholesterolemia

• Family history of elevated Lp(a)

If your Lp(a) is tested and at a normal level, you will not need a repeat test. Your levels will not rise. However, if it is very high, you and your relatives should know, as they could be at high risk as well. 

How are elevated levels of Lp(a) treated?

Niacin is the most effective available supplement/drug to reduce levels of Lp(a). We have also witnessed response to Bergamot BPF and nattokinase, an effect we have not seen reported in the literature but have observed incidentally. In our experience Bergamot BPF has had a favorable effect in some cases, and it reduces insulin resistance,a highly prevalent root cause of atherosclerosis. Nattokinase reverses blood clotting. Presence of Lp(a) makes a stronger case for antiplatelet aspirin therapy if other indications are missing.

Lifestyle and statins tend to have very little effect on reducing high levels of Lp(a). They can, however reduce inflammation contribution to disease and cardiac events. Therefore, knowing about the increased risk from Lp(a) can motivate more proactive measures to control these other root causes more optimally.

Knowing about the presence of this "mass murderer" in your body will make healthy diet, exercise, and other risk reductions more imperative. Information is empowering and motivating. Become aware of Lp(a) - the “worst” or “really bad” cholesterol.

For further reading on Lipoprotein A, we recommend the BaleDoneen website.

Do your genes make you more susceptible to heart attack?

Genetics play a significant role in whether you will have a heart attack or stroke. However, though we cannot yet alter our genes, we can “hack” them.  Some genetic information can determine optimal treatment choices for you that may or may not be right for others, even those in the same family. 

Lifestyle choices and environmental exposure can change the way our genes are expressed (how the body uses information in our genes to create proteins and other molecules). This concept is called epigenetics.

Our genes are a blueprint for our bodies, but epigenetic changes can influence which genes are turned on or off. These changes can be passed down from one generation to the next, and can also be affected by our diet, exposure to toxins, and other factors. Studying epigenetics can help us understand how these changes occur, and how they may contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Genetic testing is becoming more affordable. Since it only needs to be done once, it can actually be quite cost-effective even if insurance plans don’t cover the costs.

What types of genes are analyzed during genetic testing at The CureCenter for Chronic Disease?

Here are some, but not all, genes that are analyzed during genetic testing that may indicate risk of heart attack:

• Haptoglobin Genotype:

  • Haptoglobin genotype 1-1

    • Lowest risk for vascular disease events

    • Vitamin E increases risk of vascular events

  • Haptoglobin genotype 1-2

    • Increases your risk by 200%

    • Vitamin E increases vascular event risk in this group as well.

    • Gluten increases chronic inflammation moderately. Gluten avoidance is optimal

  • Haptoglobin genotype 2-2

    • Increases risk of vascular events by 500%! 

    • Vitamin E mixed tocopherols reduces cardiovascular risk! Now that is cool to know! 

    • Gluten also provokes a significant increase in inflammation in the gut for this genotype. Therefore, gluten should be avoided by individuals with this genotype. Gluten avoidance is also important for those who are haptoglobin 1-2 because they are very prone to gluten triggered inflammation.

• ApoE Genotype:  ApoE 4 genes increases risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and arterial disease. It can predict better outcomes with a very low fat diet and no alcohol. If you are willing to modify these choices based on the result, let’s get it. Howver, if other dietary priorities, like reducing carbs due to insulin resistance, are a priority, maybe it won’t matter. ApoE 2 or 3 genes are lower risk for arterial disease and dementia, and generally do well with a low carbohydrate diet with more liberal fat.

• KIF-6 Genotype: KIF-6 genotype determines whether atorvastatin and pravastatin are effective or ineffective at reducing heart attack and stroke frequency. However, if we use rosuvastatin or lovastatin as our preferred statin, it doesn’t matter.  Again, it is useful in a limited set of circumstances. 

• 9p21 Genotype is the Heart Attack Gene. It is the one to beat, as the title of Dr. Bale and Dr. Doneen’s book suggests.  However, there is no specific treatment for this gene. Its presence could motivate someone sitting on the fence about some treatments, but for the most part, we rarely order it since our program is based upon measurable disease, not risk. 

Awareness of higher risk can provoke more proactive efforts on controllable factors. However, if you already have a disease, being “low risk” doesn’t change your plan. You need to act on the disease to put it into remission.

There are other genes that determine how you metabolize medications. This can be important if you are on multiple medications that can interact with one another or require metabolism for elimination or activation. When inquiring about genetic testing, ask your doctor about these genes. Be wary of commercial panels of an array of genetic tests that can add more “noise” than “signal.” 23 and Me offers little useful information for testing that really matters.

Knowing your genetics allows The CureCenter to individualize and personalize your care to lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. We offer genetic testing for all and encourage it especially for those who have had a heart attack, stroke, TIA, stent, bypass or signs of dementia to optimize treatment. For others, it enables the best possible choices to personalize your care.  

Our general rule is to order genetic tests that will determine a specific change in choices or prescriptions.

For recommendations on genetic testing, request your complimentary Discovery Zoom Call with Dr. Backs and take the first step toward ensuring a long and healthy life.