Archive for the ‘Atherosclerosis’ Category
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
Warfarin and Vitamin K
People taking warfarin (Coumadin) are at higher risk for atherosclerosis and osteoporosis (brittle bones) because the drug increases arterial calcification and decreases bone calcification. A study in the journal Pharmacotherapy demonstrated the safety and benefit of low-dose vitamin K supplementation in patients taking warfarin. However, it is imperative that a person who takes blood thinners use vitamin K2 only under the close supervision of a doctor.
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Tags: Atherosclerosis, calcification, Osteoporosis, study, Vitamins, warfarin
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Sunday, August 15th, 2010
Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease Drugs: Vitamin K
Vitamin K not only helps with regulating bone calcification but also protects against harmful arterial calcification. Vitamin K is required for normal function of the protein osteocalcin. When vitamin K is deficient, blood calcium accumulates in the arteries.
Vitamin K sources
The Rotterdam Study, an ongoing European clinical trial started in 1990, evaluated (among many other things) how vitamin K intake affected 4,807 subjects over a period of 7 to 10 years. Results published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that a diet providing 45 mcg per day of vitamin K2 was associated with 50 percent less arterial calcification, a 50 percent decreased cardiovascular mortality risk, and a 25 percent reduction in risk of dying from any cause. Clinical trials also have demonstrated that vitamin K2 improves elasticity of the carotid arteries, thereby promoting better blood flow. (more…)
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Tags: arterial, arteries, blood, calcification, clinical, percent, Vitamins
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Thursday, August 12th, 2010
Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease Drugs Tocotrienols
Vitamin E is not just one vitamin, but rather a family of eight slightly different molecular structures that function differently in the body. There are two principal categories of vitamin E: tocopherols and tocotrienols. Each of these has four subcategories: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Tocotrienols reduce triglycerides and inflammation of arterial walls, promote dilation and flexibility of arteries, improve blood flow, change LDL cholesterol to a form that does not promote plaque formation, and lower blood pressure. They also help to reduce plaque in the arteries, particularly delta tocotrienols. A four-year study from Elmhurst Medical Center in Queens, New York, involved 50 participants who had plaque in their carotid arteries (the main arteries that carry blood to the brain).
This dangerous condition can lead to a stroke if plaque breaks off and lodges in the brain arteries. Among the participants who took 240 mg a day of tocotrienols along with 60 mg of alpha-tocopherol, 88 percent experienced stabilization or actual reduction of plaque. Among participants taking a placebo, 60 percent experienced a worsening of their condition and only 8 percent stabilized or improved.
Tocotrienols also combat cholesterol.According to a review published in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association, supplementation with gamma and delta tocotrienols at 75 mg to 100 mg per day for two months reduced total cholesterol levels by 13 to 22 percent and cut LDL
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Tags: arterial, arteries, blood, brain, cholesterol, heart, participants, plaque, promote, tocotrienols, Vitamins
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Monday, August 9th, 2010
Pomegranate Juice and Its Effect on Plaque
Pomegranate juice has proven to be a powerful food for arterial health. It is loaded with antioxidants called polyphenols that prevent cholesterol oxidation and improve blood flow. Israeli researchers discovered its effectiveness in a three-year study of patients with carotid artery plaque. The study included 19 men and women, 65 to 75 years old, who had severe carotid artery blockage. Ten participants received 1,7 ounces (50 ml) of 100 percent pomegranate juice daily and nine participants drank a placebo.
(more…)
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Tags: artery, blood, juice, percent, plaque, study
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Saturday, August 7th, 2010
Natural Alternatives to Atherosclerosis Drugs – Diet and Lifestyle
Dean Ornish on Newsweek cover
Dean Ornish, M.D., a leader in promoting lifestyle changes to reduce cardiovascular risk, emphasizes the importance of a restricted diet for patients with cardiac disease. In a study published in 1990 in the journal Lancet, Dr. Ornish reported that 23 of the 28 participants who followed his special diet for one year showed “measurable reversal of coronary artery blockages”. The participants also quit smoking, had stress-management training, and followed moderate exercise. Among the 20 patients in the control group,who reportedly followed standard medical advice regarding a low-fat diet, coronary artery plaque more than doubled after one year.
This demonstrated to Dr. Ornish that atherosclerosis patients needed to do more than just reduce dietary fats to improve their condition. As a result, he developed the Ornish Reversal Diet, which recommends:
- 10 percent of daily calories from polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats (no saturated fats).
- 70 to 75 percent of calories from carbohydrates.
- 15 to 20 percent of calories from protein.
- No more than 5 milligrams of dietary cholesterol.
Dr. Ornish
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Tags: calories, fruits, heart, patients, vegetables, Vitamins, years
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Thursday, August 5th, 2010
Statins Against Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease Drugs
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) include:
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
- Fluvastatin (Lescol)
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Lovastatin (Mevacor)
- Pravastatin (Pravachol)
- Simvastatin (Zocor)
How Do These Drugs Work?
Statins are a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs that inhibit the enzyme called hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), which is involved in the manufacturing of cholesterol in the liver. They also reduce arterial inflammation associated with atherosclerosis.
What Are The Benefits?
- LDL cholesterol reduced 18 to 55 percent
- HDL cholesterol increased 5 to 15 percent
- Triglycerides reduced 7 to 30 percent
There is a decreased risk of dying when statins are given in the hospital after a heart attack, and a reduction in the long-term death rate. These medications have also been shown to reduce inflammation.
Potential Side Effects?
The most common side effects are headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, rash, weakness, muscle and joint pain, and increased liver enzymes. The most serious (but fortunately rare) side effects are liver failure and rhabdomyolysis, a serious side effect in which there is damage to muscles. Statins should not be used by pregnant women or nursing mothers.
(more…)
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Tags: blood, cholesterol, drugs, effects, liver, muscle, percent, statins, Vitamins
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease Drugs Oral Anticoagulants
These are medications that dissolve blood clots; for example, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
How do these drugs work?
These medications dissolve blood clots present in blood vessels.
What are the benefits?
Blood clots that form in the blood vessels can block blood flow to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. By dissolving blood clots, anticoagulants can lower the risk for heart attack and stroke.
Potential side effects
Painful, purple toes; rash; hair loss; bloating; diarrhea; jaundice; bleeding gums; bruising; nosebleeds; heavy menstrual bleeding; cuts that bleed too long; hematuria
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Tags: bleeding, blood, clots, doctor, drugs, foods, heart, medications, medicine, medicines, thyroid, vessels, Vitamins
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Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
Atherosclerosis and CAD Drugs Nitrates
- Isosorbide dinitrate, sublingual and chewable (Isordil, Sorbitrate)
- Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, Ismo, Isotrate ER,Monoket)
- Nitroglycerin ER (Nitroglyn)
- Nitroglycerin ointment (Nitro-Bid ointment, Nitrol)
- Nitroglycerin skin patches (Deponit, Minitran, Nitro-Dur, Nitrodisc,
- Transderm-Nitro)
- Nitroglycerin spray (Nitrolingual)
How do these drugs work?
This class of medications dilates the veins returning blood to the heart as well as the heart arteries, increasing oxygenation of the heart cells.
What are the benefits?
Quick relief of heart pain (angina)
Potential side effects
- Constant throbbing headache
- Flushing of the head and neck
- Increased heart rate or heart palpitations
- Nausea, vomiting
Major cautions
Drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness and weakness
Known drug interactions (more…)
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Tags: Atherosclerosis, blood, drugs, effects, heart, interactions, medications, nitroglycerin, pressure
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Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease Drugs: Antiplatelets
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
Salicylates: aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, Acuprin, Alka-Seltzer, Ascriptin A/D, Bayer, Bufferin, Easprin, Ecotrin, Empirin, Zorprin, aspirin gum (Aspergum)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
These medications work by preventing platelets from sticking together to form blood clots. These drugs are often used in people with a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Reduction in heart attack and stroke and blood clots that can cause these cardiovascular conditions.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Diarrhea
- Itchy rash
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
The most common side effects of aspirin involve the digestive system (ulcerations, abdominal burning, pain, cramping, nausea, gastritis, and even serious gastrointestinal bleeding and liver toxicity) and ringing in the ears. Rash, kidney impairment, vertigo, and light-headedness can also occur. Aspirin should be avoided by patients with peptic ulcer disease or kidney disease. Aspirin can increase blood uric acid levels and should be avoided in patients with hyperuricemia (high blood uric acid levels) and gout. Talk with your doctor about discontinuing aspirin therapy before surgery due to its bloodthinning properties. (more…)
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Tags: aspirin, bleeding, blood, clopidogrel, clots, digestive, disease, drugs, kidney, medications, patients, plavix, ticlid, ticlopidine, Vitamins
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