Prevention Works, Treatment Is The Key
First of all, we must note that every patient’s treatment is different, and there is no way to fully describe what we do in general. That is simply because each person is very different, with different risk factors, different genetics and different reactions to various medications.
However, at Heart Attack Prevention Strategies, we use cornerstone therapy to treat any disease or risk factors that may be found.
1.) Lifestyle
The first, and by far the most important, part of treatment is lifestyle. This will comprise roughly 60-70% of the treatment plan. “There is no drug out there that can even touch what lifestyle and diet will do for a patient,” says Dr. Turnbow. So, Dr. Turnbow will make diet and exercise recommendations based on the patient’s risk factors, current health situation, and genotype. We also work with great athletic clubs, nutritionists and physical therapists to help meet a patient’s needs. For more information, please click on our Professional Friends link.
One such recommendation for alcohol is based on the APO E test. This blood type will tell the doctor how your body reacts to alcohol. If you are type 2, then you should drink at least 1-2 drinks a day (unless you have a religious or medical reason not to). Type 3 is fairly unaffected by alcohol. And type 4 should never ever drink it.
We can give similar recommendations for fats based on the APO E test. If you are Type 2, you should eat more fats (up to 35% of your calories can come from good fats). Again, Type 3 is fairly neutral. And Type 4 should have a very low fat diet (under 15% of their calories should come from good fats.
Exercise will even affect these types differently. For Type 2, exercise is maximally beneficial. Type 3 is again fairly neutral. And for Type 4, exercise is beneficial, but not maximally so.
2.) Anti-platelet therapy
The second part of the cornerstone therapy is anti-platelet, which comes in the form of aspirin. Aspirin helps prevent platelets in the blood from sticking together, and reduces the chance of blood clots in the arteries which lead to serious problems. About twenty seven percent of the population is aspirin resistant. For them, the standard 162 mg daily dose will not help.
3.) ACE Inhibitors
The third part of the treatment is an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor. These medications are used, when necessary, to lower blood pressure. That is important because hypertension (high blood pressure) is highly associated with more heart attacks and strokes. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the risk.
ACE Inhibitors also help stabilize the endothelium (artery lining) independently of helping with blood pressure. That is important because 89% of heart attacks occur with a rupture of the artery wall.
4.) Statin or Niaspan or Fenofibrate
This part is especially tricky because the doctor may choose any, all, or none of the above based on a patient’s circumstances. -Statins are used to lower cholesterol.
-Niaspan and Fenofibrate are for HDL/Triglyceride disorder.
-Niaspan raises HDL (good cholesterol)
-Fenofibrate makes HDL more functional
If a patient is insulin resistant, they will often be prescribed Fenofibrate, otherwise it is usually Niaspan.
*Niaspan is a prescription drug, not to be confused with over the counter Niacin, the doctor never recommends over the counter Niacin.