Stress, Cholesterol and Heart Disease

Do you worry about your cholesterol?  
You probably do, since the media in concert with the drug companies have bombarded us with information that gives us the impression there is a one to one linkage between elevated blood fats and arteriosclerosis. This is nonsense. 

Most people having heart attacks have perfectly normal blood cholesterol, even given that the "normal" level has been dropping lately. The end result of this has been that more and more patients become candidates for and are placed on cholesterol lowering drugs.

These drugs do have side effects, and are being prescribed much too aggressively. I saw a man recently who was taking medication and whose cholesterol was 120. Such extremely low levels of cholesterol are associated with the potential for drug side effects, increased incidence of cancer, and inability of the body to keep up with normal production of vital hormones. Cholesterol is the starting molecule the body uses in this process. Cholesterol may be tangentially involved, but is it the most important risk factor for coronary disease? No, it isn't. What is? Probably stress.
 
You can have a lot of plaque for a long time and never have a problem. When does the heart attack occur? During times of stress. Many attuned cardiologists know they will find some grave emotional issues weighing on the heart and soul of the heart attack victim. Furthermore, stress, especially when chronic, can affect blood pressure in susceptible individuals and cause contraction band lesions in the heart muscle that can bring on heart attacks in individuals without any plaque at autopsy. If you are watching your diet, exercising, taking your vitamins, taking your prescribed medications and your baby aspirin every day, you are doing well, but perhaps not well enough. 

It's possible that worrying about your cholesterol (or about anything else, for that matter) will be more harmful to your health than the high cholesterol itself.  

Are you harboring hate or unforgiveness toward someone? Is there someone whose forgiveness you must ask for? Are you dealing with the relationship problem in your marriage? Are you unhappy in your work or with your life? Do you suffer from grief, guilt, impatience, or unrest? If so, you must not neglect these things. The emotional weight on your heart can hurt you as bad or worse than any of the other risk factors we will begin to discuss next week. At CMRS we pay attention, we ask about these emotional factors, and we can do something about them besides prescribing antidepressants or tranquilizers. We care about you.

The information on this website is presented as information only and not a self-help guide. Never alter or change your health management or begin any new health plans without first consulting your personal health care provider. Please note: Prolotherapy and Supplement recommendations by disorders is a general recommendation. It is not our suggestion that these supplements cure or improve these conditions, neither do we make claims that these supplements in anyway are to be used in place of medical advice from a licensed medial professional, nor are they to be used in the place of medications prescribed by a physician. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated statements made about specific supplements nor does the Food and Drug Administration recognize that any nutritional supplement is to be used as a cure for any condition. Nutritional, herbal, mineral supplementation can be beneficial in certain health circumstances but not in every circumstance. Before using any nutritional supplement it is strongly advised that you seek the guidance of a licensed health care professional to help guide you in choosing any supplementation program.  Supplement suggestions  ARE NOT to be considered cures or possible remedies, but rather supplements that can possibly enhance the quality of life by helping the immune and/or nervous system. All medical procedures have risks, these risks should always be discussed with your physician. CMRS 715 Lake Street Suite 600 Oak Park IL 60301 708-848-7789