Hi:
As various medical literature and the worldwide media have reported, clinically significant (blood flow-limiting) coronary artery disease (CAD), sometimes leading to a dreaded heart attack, is increasing in those in their mid/late 30s to early 40s.
CAD actually begins (the process and progression of) very early in life, even as early as in the pre-teen/teenage years. Fatty streaks (represents the earliest precursor to plaque development and plaque is the pathological hallmark of atherosclerosis) are the beginning of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Soft plaque (more dangerous and unpredictable than hard or calcified plaque) is the early stage of atherosclerosis.
CAD is a lifelong unpredictable (can exhibit periods of stabilization, acceleration, and even some regression) condition.
Coronary stents (drug-eluting or bare-metal) are only a Band-aid or spot-treatment, as this doesn't address the disease processes and what drives the progression.
Good doctor-patient/patient-doctor communication and understanding is so very important,
essential at ALL times.
Best of luck down the road of life.
Take care,
CardioStar*
WebMD member (since 8/99)
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Be well-informed WebMD
Living with Heart Disease
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) When you have CAD, it is important to take good care of your heart for the rest of your life....
This is especially true if you have had an interventional procedure or surgery to improve blood flow to the heart....../It is up to......
Recognize the symptoms. Reduce your risk factors. Take your medications. See your doctor for regular check-ups...
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/living-with-heart-disease Coronary artery anatomy Starting with the LAD, the most critical, next to the ultra-critical LM.
http://www.heartsite.com/html/lad.html _ . _ The symptoms of artery-narrowing atherosclerosis are highly variable. Those with mild atherosclerosis may present with clinically important symptoms and signs of disease and heart attack, or absolute worst case scenario, sudden cardiac death (SCD) may be the first and only symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, many individuals with anatomically advanced disease may have no symptoms and experience no functional impairment.
_ . _ Heart-Healthy Foods Avoid foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Choose skim or low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt and reduced-fat cheeses. Eat more fish and poultry.
Limit servings to five to seven ounces a day.
Trim visible fat.
Limit egg yolks.
Substitute two egg whites for one whole egg or use an egg-substitute. Eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, breads and cereals.
Use less salt and fat.
Season with herbs and spices rather than with sauces, gravies and butter
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Good to know, for the primary and secondary prevention of heart attack and brain attack Epidemiologic studies (EDS) have revealed risk factors (encompasses some new, novel, or emerging) for atherosclerosis, which includes age, gender, genetics (gene deletion, malfunction or mutation), diabetes (considered as being the highest risk factor), smoking (includes secondhand), inactivity, obesity (a global epidemic, "globesity") high blood pressure (hypertension), high LDL, small, dense LDL, RLP (remnant lipoprotein), high Lp(a), high ApoB, high Lp-PLA2, high triglycerides, HDL2b, LOW HDL (less than 40 mg/dL, an HDL level of 60/65 mg/dL or more is considered protective against coronary artery disease), high homocysteine (now questionable), and high C-reactive protein (CRP/hs-CRP).
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Quote! "Be a
questioning patient. Talk to your doctor and ask questions. Studies show that patients who
ask the most questions, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!"
- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society.
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It's your future......be there.