High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: Conrado Estol Exposes the Pitfall of "I'm Health-Conscious"
A healthy lifestyle, often synonymous with eating well and exercising regularly, is indeed crucial for overall well-being. However, a recent body of research reveals that certain vascular risk factors are commonly overlooked in conventional healthy living plans.
According to a study led by Valentin Fuster, atherosclerosis, the build-up of cholesterol plaques in the arteries, is a significant concern, especially among adults aged 40 to 54. Shockingly, more than 60% of this age group in the PESA study required treatment to prevent heart attack and stroke.
One of the often-neglected risk factors is elevated very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. VLDL, which carries triglycerides in the blood, is a significant but modifiable risk factor that contributes to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk, despite often having no symptoms. Effective detection requires a complete lipid profile that includes VLDL measurements — a step beyond standard cholesterol testing.
Prehypertension or borderline elevated blood pressure is another factor that may be overlooked. Routine, regular BP monitoring helps detect such early signs, enabling timely lifestyle modifications and, if necessary, medication to prevent progression to full hypertension and vascular damage.
Chronic low-grade inflammation, tied to poor diet, inadequate physical activity, stress, and other lifestyle factors, also plays a crucial role in vascular health. Integrative assessments including markers of inflammation can identify this risk, which may be treated through anti-inflammatory diets, stress management, and exercise.
Early insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism underlie vascular risk before overt diabetes develops. Routine assessments of fasting glucose, HbA1c, and insulin sensitivity can uncover these risks early.
Effective detection strategies include comprehensive cardiovascular screening beyond the minimal panel — blood pressure monitoring, full lipid profiles with VLDL, glucose metabolism tests, and inflammation markers. These should be complemented by detailed lifestyle assessments.
Treatment primarily centers on evidence-based lifestyle interventions: adopting heart-healthy dietary patterns rich in plant-based foods (Mediterranean, DASH, MIND diets), regular aerobic physical activity, smoking cessation, stress management, and weight control. When lifestyle measures are insufficient, medications such as statins, antihypertensives (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors), and antiplatelet agents may be used, guided by medical evaluation.
It's worth noting that many patients resist the prescription of statins, the most commonly used medication to treat cholesterol. However, the evidence in favour of statin treatment is overwhelming, as shown by the American Heart Association's 44-page document with 400 references. Treating hypertension reduces the risk of heart or brain attack by 20 to 40%, and it also reduces the risk of dementia.
In conclusion, a "healthy lifestyle" plan that truly minimizes vascular risk includes careful detection and management of VLDL cholesterol, borderline blood pressure elevations, inflammatory status, and early metabolic disturbances, alongside the classic risk factors. Early and comprehensive screening coupled with targeted lifestyle and medical interventions form the most effective approach to reducing vascular disease risk.
Unfortunately, most individuals at risk of heart attack using conventional scales were not identified as at-risk patients in the study. This underscores the importance of a holistic approach to vascular health, one that goes beyond the traditional understanding of a healthy lifestyle.
Health and wellness, especially cardiovascular health, can significantly benefit from a holistic approach, considering factors like elevated VLDL cholesterol, prehypertension, chronic low-grade inflammation, early insulin resistance, and impaired glucose metabolism.
Effective detection and management of these often-overlooked medical-conditions are crucial components of a 'healthy lifestyle' plan that effectively minimizes vascular risk.
