Atherosclerosis is the arterial hardening process that is the underlying cause of all heart attacks and strokes. Atherosclerosis accounts for 75% of all deaths!

Listed below are the "independent markers" that predict risk for heart and cardiovascular disease. Each "independent marker" presents a separate risk. In other words, each marker--without any help from the others--can cause a heart attack. It follows that each must therefore be identified and treated separately. We physicians can no longer feel our job is complete once we have normalized cholesterol. We must go on to measure and treat elevated homocysteine, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, etc.--i.e., all of the independent risk factors.

The good news is that every single one of these markers can be reversed using nutritional medicine. Reversing abnormal levels of these markers results in a corresponding reduction in riskof heart attack and stroke.

For information about how to treat each abnormal marker naturally, follow the corresponding links:

Elevated Cholesterol Follow this link to discover how to lower cholesterol naturally. Half of all heart attacks and strokes occur in individuals whose cholesterol is normal. Thus, a low cholesterol alone will not provide very good protection from heart disease. The other "independent markers" listed below must also be reversed (preferrably naturally) for significant protection. Correcting these markers actually addresses the cause of the atherosclerosis. By normalizing any and all elevated markers, heart disease and stroke risk can be reduced from 75% risk to risk levels measured in single digits.

Elevated LDL (bad cholesterol) Like any fat, LDL is vulnerable to oxidation. Oxidized LDL has been shown to damage the inner lining of blood vessels, causing or accelerating atherosclerotic hardening, thus raising the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease. This is one (of several) reasons why elevated LDL sets the stage for an arterial disaster. Lycopene, the phytonutrient responsible for the red pigment in tomatoes, is a powerful free radical scavenger that binds to LDL-cholesterol, protecting the arterial wall from LDL induced oxidative damage. Use 1-2 capsules a day.

Elevated Homocysteine This amino acid-like metabolite is normally present in the body, but when blood levels are excessive, it damages arteries and sets the stage for heart disease.

Elevated C-Reactive Protein C-Reactive protein, a marker for inflammation is the single most powerful known predictor of heart disease and atherosclerosis. It is 2-3 times more accurate than serum cholesterol.

Elevated Fibrinogen Fibrinogen is a clotting protein that has emerged as one of the most powerful predictors of heart disease.

Low levels of antioxidants increase heart attack risk

Hypothyroidism is a commonly missed cause of atherosclerosis (even though most doctors know that an elevated cholesterol can be caused by a low thyroid)

Donating blood--as unlikely as it may seem--has also been shown to have a powerful effect on reducing the risk of heart attacks in men.

High serum iron levels have been shown to dramatically increase risk of heart disease and cancer. This is because iron is a powerful oxidizing agent which depletes the body's levels of protective antioxidants. Oxidized LDL (see above) is far more damaging to arteries than normal LDL. Donating blood, because it is guaranteed to lower iron levels, is an effective way to protect LDL (and other vital components of the cardiovascular system) from the oxidizing effect of too much iron.

For information about arrhythmia, click here.