Heart & Blood Vessels – Hello Doctor

What is heart rate variability, and how do you improve it?

June 27th, 2020 by The Hello Doctor Team

Heart rate variability refers to differences in time between each heartbeat. For example, if your heart rate is 60 beats per minute, it’s not necessarily beating once every second. Within that minute there may be 0.9 seconds between two beats, and 1.15 seconds between two others. The greater this variability is, the more “prepared” your body is to perform at an optimal level.

Heart rate vs. heart rate variability?

Heart rate (HR)

Heart rate is measured in beats per minute and refers to the average number of the beats in a given time period.

For example, a 60 beats per minute HR could mean 1 beat per second or it could mean an average of 1 beat every 0.5s, 1.5s, 0.5s, 1.5s, etc.

Generally, a low HR is measured during rest, while a high HR is associated with movement, exercise and sometimes stress.

Heart rate variability (HRV), on the other hand, measures the specific changes in time between consecutive heartbeats.

The time between beats is measured in milliseconds (ms) and is called an “R-R interval” or “inter-beat interval (IBI).

Why should you check heart rate variability?

Checking your heart rate variability is a great way to identify how well your autonomic nervous system is functioning.

When you’re in a fight-or-flight mode, or feeling very stressed, the variation between heartbeats is usually low. But if you’re in a more relaxed state, the variation between beats is higher.

The healthier the autonomic nervous system, the faster you’re able to switch mechanisms, showing more resilience and flexibility, especially to stress. A higher HRV is associated with improved cardiovascular fitness and resilience to stress, whereas a low HRV has been linked to anxiety, heart disease and an increased risk of early death.

Your HRV may also help give an idea of your lifestyle habits. Your HRV changes as you incorporate exercise, mindfulness, meditation and sleep into your life. This is a great way to not only track how your nervous system reacts to the environment, but also to your emotions, thoughts, and feelings.

How to improve heart rate variability

Stay hydrated: The more hydrated you are, the easier it is for your blood to circulate and carry oxygen and nutrients to your body.

Avoid alcohol: One night of drinking may negatively affect your HRV for up to five days.

Eat clean: Poor nutrition has a negative effect on HRV

Quality sleep: The quality and consistency of your sleep is important. Going to bed and waking up at similar times every day is beneficial.

Auto-regulation: Adopting a consistent schedule for your body especially with sleep and eating is helpful. Your body operates more efficiently when it knows what’s coming.

References:

Is your dizziness caused by cardiomyopathy?

January 27th, 2020 by Content Editor

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body.

It affects those of all ages and develops either because of genetics or an underlying condition.

Factors that can increase your risk of cardiomyopathy include:

A family history of heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest
Long-term high blood pressure
Past heart attacks
Coronary artery disease or an infection in the heart
Obesity
Long-term alcohol abuse
Drug use
Certain chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy for cancer
Diabetes, an under- or overactive thyroid gland, or a disorder that causes the body to store excess iron (hemochromatosis)

In some cases, the cause of cardiomyopathy isn’t known. This is often the case when the disease develops in children.

Other types of the disease are called “unclassified cardiomyopathy.” Another type is “stress-induced cardiomyopathy,” also known as broken heart syndrome.

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms in the early stages of cardiomyopathy. However, as the condition advances, the following signs usually appear:

Breathlessness
Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
Bloating of the abdomen due to fluid build-up
Coughing while lying down
Fatigue
Rapid, pounding or fluttering heartbeats
Dizziness, light-headedness and fainting
Chest discomfort or pressure

Symptoms tend to get worse unless treated. In some people, the condition worsens quickly; in others, it is a gradual process.

Treating cardiomyopathy

Treatment is aimed at the cause of heart failure. Once you have been diagnosed, the main goals are to improve cardiac function, reduce symptoms and to help prevent complications.

Your doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes that reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

When to see a doctor

Because some types of cardiomyopathy can be hereditary, your doctor might advise that your family members be checked too.

See your doctor if you have one or more signs associated with cardiomyopathy, like severe difficulty breathing, fainting or chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes.

In many cases, you can’t prevent cardiomyopathy, but let your doctor know if you have a family history of the condition.

You can help reduce your chances of cardiomyopathy and other types of heart disease with a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes:

Controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes
Avoiding the use of alcohol or drugs
Eating a heart-healthy diet
Being regularly active
Getting enough sleep
Reducing stress

Teaser: Make heart-healthy choices

References:

Are your potassium levels off?

January 27th, 2020 by Content Editor

Potassium, just like other minerals play an integral part in how your body functions. Unfortunately, your body can’t produce potassium on its own, so it must come from your diet.

Potassium is also known as an electrolyte. Electrolytes assist your body with essential functions, including:

Digestion
Blood pressure
Muscle contractions
Nerve impulses
Maintaining water balance
Heart rhythm
pH balance

Taking in too much or too little potassium could lead to serious health problems. A potassium deficiency is called hypokalaemia and an overload is known as hyperkalaemia.

Hypokalaemia

Potassium deficiency is often caused by an underlying condition. Common ones could include:

Magnesium deficiency
Regularly using penicillin-based antibiotics
Kidney disease
Vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive sweating

Symptoms of hypokalaemia vary depending on the severity of the deficiency. If it’s temporary, you may not have any symptoms. For example, you could experience a temporary potassium deficiency after a workout. Once you eat and drink enough water, it should stabilise.

Symptoms of hypokalaemia include:

Muscle spasms or cramping
Irregular heartbeat
Extreme fatigue
Weakness
Constipation
Nausea and vomiting

Treating hypokalaemia

A potassium deficiency is usually diagnosed with a blood test. If your doctor finds that you have hypokalaemia, potassium supplements are usually the first line of treatment.
If your kidneys are healthy, then supplements would usually be effective. For a severe potassium deficiency, you may need IV treatment (delivers fluid medication directly into a vein).
If there’s too much sodium in your body, you may also be given diuretics (water pills which help you urinate) to help balance out the electrolyte levels.

Hyperkalaemia

Too much potassium in the body is rare, particularly if you eat a balanced diet. The most common symptom of too much potassium, is an abnormal heartbeat.

Some of the risk factors for hyperkalaemia include:

Kidney disease
Too much exercise
Chemotherapy
Taking too many potassium supplements
Diabetes
Severe burns

If you have mild hyperkalaemia, your doctor may prescribe medication that will give your body a potassium boost.

Severe cases require more treatment and could involve kidney dialysis to remove excess potassium. This procedure is usually used in cases of kidney failure. Insulin or glucose may also be recommended. These help to transport potassium from the blood to your cells for removal.

The final word on potassium

If you don’t have any of the risk factors for hypokalaemia or hyperkalaemia, then changes in body potassium shouldn’t be a concern. Having healthy kidneys should also be enough to regulate your potassium levels.

If you have any conditions that could affect your potassium levels they should be monitored. Talk to your doctor if you suspect a deficiency or overdose, along with any unusual symptoms.

References:

What is atrial fibrillation?

May 13th, 2019 by Content Editor

Does your heart beat so fast that it feels like it’s banging against your chest wall; especially if you’re carrying stuff or bending down?

You may have atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat. Changes in your heart rhythm lead to stroke, blood clots, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

According to the AME Medical Journal, there has been an increase in the global prevalence of atrial fibrillation in all regions of the world. In the European Union, it is estimated that AFib will increase from eight million adults over 55 years in 2010, to 17 million by 2060.

The rhythm of the heartbeat

Usually, your heart contracts and relaxes to a regular beat. With atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly to move blood into the ventricles (the cavity or chamber that can be filled with fluid).

When this happens, the lower chambers don’t fill completely and therefore can’t pump enough blood to the lungs and body. This can result in fatigue or dizziness, heart palpitations or chest pain. Blood may also pool in the heart, which can increase your risk of having a stroke or other complications.

Symptoms 

Now and then, people with AFib have no symptoms and their condition is only detectable from a physical exam. Others may experience symptoms such as:

Rapid and irregular heartbeat.
General fatigue.
Dizziness.
Weakness.
Shortness of breath and anxiety.
Fluttering or “thumping” in the chest.
Faintness or confusion.
Fatigue when exercising.
Sweating.
Chest pain or pressure.

Diagnosis 

To diagnose atrial fibrillation, your doctor may check for symptoms, ask for your medical history, and do a physical exam. In addition, you may have tests like:

Blood tests: This will help check thyroid problems or other substances in your blood that could lead to atrial fibrillation.

Stress test: This involves running tests on your heart while you’re exercising.

Chest X-ray: X-ray images will help your doctor see the condition of your lungs and heart.

Treatment

The general goal to treat AFib is to:

Reset the rhythm or control the rate.
Prevent blood clots.
Decrease the risk of strokes.

With the help of your doctor, you’ll be able choose the most appropriate option. This will depend on whether you have other problems with your heart and if you’re able to take medication that can control your heart rhythm. In some cases, you may need more invasive treatment, like medical procedures using catheters or surgery.

With some people, an underlying condition like a thyroid disorder may trigger atrial fibrillation. Treating the condition causing atrial fibrillation may help relieve your heart rhythm problems.

Prevention 

It’s important to live a heart-healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of heart disease and prevent atrial fibrillation.   This includes:

Eating a heart-healthy diet.
Avoiding smoking.
Exercising more often.
Limiting or avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
Reducing stress (intense stress and anger can cause heart rhythm problems).
Using over-the-counter medications with caution, as some cold and cough medications have stimulants that may trigger a rapid heartbeat.
Maintaining a healthy weight.

References:

Sauna: the hot new therapy for a healthy heart

March 24th, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Age is an uncontrollable risk factor for cardiovascular heart disease, unlike risk factors like smoking, drinking alcohol and a lack of exercise.

Now, new studies have shown that a sauna a few times a week could help stave off heart health problems in older people, even amongst those who are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Heat for heart health

In a 15-year study of approximately 1 600 men and women aged between 53 and 74 in Finland, it was found that just 181 people succumbed to heart-related illnesses. The study concluded that the more saunas the individuals in the group took, the lower their risk of heart disease.

The sauna is a cultural institution in Finland but is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide. Unlike other types of sauna, like the hot, humid Turkish sauna, the Finnish version is very hot and dry. These saunas are wood-lined rooms heated by stones on a stove. An occasional splash of water over the stones produces steam in an internal temperature of around 100°C.

It’s the heat that seems to be key in the sauna’s benefit to heart health. In one study, participants’ pulse rates increased by 30%, causing the heart to pump almost twice the volume of blood it would normally do at rest. This increase in heart rate is similar to what would occur during moderate intensity exercise.

Other studies have shown that sauna therapy is associated with a reduction in high blood pressure and a lower risk of stroke and cognitive decline, again supporting the concept of improved heart health.

Get the best out of sauna therapy

Evidence suggests that the frequency of using a sauna is closely linked to the risk of heart disease. People who used the sauna more than four times a week, and those who sauna-bathed for more than 45 minutes a week showed a significant reduction in their risk of fatal cardiovascular disease-related events. Furthermore, those people who exercised regularly and used a sauna had a significantly lower risk of dying from heart disease than people who didn’t exercise regularly and used a sauna.

There were some underlying factors that could have improved the study outcomes:

Sauna baths are inherently relaxing, so lowering stress levels could be an additional factor to consider.
Sauna baths are also accessible across the board to all Finns, so the socioeconomic risk factor – poverty – associated with cardiovascular disease did not apply.

Sauna safety

Dashing off immediately to the sauna might seem tempting, but it’s always best to check with your doctor before you start any sort of activity that affects your heart. If you’re already fit, there should be no problem, but some conditions may exempt you from sauna therapy. If you have fluctuating blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, unstable angina and advanced heart failure or heart valve disease, sauna therapy may not be for you.

If you can and do sauna, here are some tips to help make the most of the experience:

Don’t drink alcohol before, after or during your sauna
Keep to a reasonable time limit: 15 to 20 minutes is enough.
Don’t cool down too fast. This puts your circulatory system under considerable stress.
Stay hydrated: quench your thirst with a few glasses of water after each sauna.
Try to sauna at least four times a week, or for 45 minutes a week.
Listen to your body. If you aren’t feeling well, skip the sauna.

References:

Home remedies for heart palpitations

March 20th, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Does your heart feel like it’s flip-flopping? Racing or fluttering? If so, it’s possible you could have heart palpitations. Heart palpitations are sensations that feel like your heart is beating really fast or pounding in your chest. Palpitations can also be felt in your throat, chest and neck.

These feelings are commonly triggered by stress, certain medications, exercise, caffeine, low blood sugar and dehydration. Although it’s rare, it can also stem from medical conditions like thyroid problems, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms and anaemia.

Heart palpitations not caused by a medical condition are harmless and usually resolve on their own. Here are some home remedies to relieve the symptoms.

Wind things down

Stress has different effects on the body and heart palpitations can make things worse. Learn how to relax with meditation or yoga. These techniques have a good reputation for reducing palpitations and calming you down. Do a mix of different relaxation methods throughout the week.

You can try:

Deep breathing. Sit or lay flat in a comfortable position. Place a hand on your stomach just below your ribs and the other on your chest. Now, take a deep breath through your nose and allow your belly to push your hand away. Breathe out through pursed lips. Repeat two to three times.
Try writing down how you feel once a day before bed. Journaling helps you manage stressful experiences in a healthy way. It also gives you an emotional release and allows you to work through whatever is worrying you.
Working out keeps your physical health in check, and helps you to de-stress. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day to give yourself a boost.

Trigger your vagus nerve

The vagus nerve is connected to the heart and helps control your heart rate. Stimulating it can help reduce palpitations. Activate it by coughing, placing a cold, damp cloth on your face for a few seconds, taking a cold shower and splashing cold water on your face. (It may be best to talk to your doctor before trying this method.)

Balance your electrolytes

Electrolytes are found in your body and are helpful in transferring electrical signals. The signals help regulate your heart rate. Boost your electrolytes with foods that contain salt, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Bananas, potatoes, avocados and spinach are rich in potassium. Get your fix of magnesium and calcium from dark leafy greens, nuts and fish. Don’t worry about adding in extra salt.

Drink up

When your body becomes dehydrated, it must work harder to circulate blood. This causes heart palpitations. Signs that you need to drink more water include feeling thirsty, a dry mouth, a racing heart, a headache, dizziness and dry skin.

Good to know

Although heart palpitations are usually harmless, see your doctor if you experience them often. If someone in your family has heart disease, you should also be checking in with your doctor regularly. If you get heart palpitations with symptoms like chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting or pain, get to a doctor immediately.

References

Heart palpitations : when should you worry?

July 16th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

If you’ve ever felt like your heart has skipped a beat, fluttered or flip-flopped, then you’ve experienced heart palpitations. Heart palpitations are the feelings of a fast-beating, pounding heart. Exercise, stress, certain medications, and medical conditions may trigger them.

Although heart palpitations can be scary or worrying, they aren’t usually harmful and are seldom caused by a condition. You’d usually feel heart palpitations in the throat and neck, as well as the chest. The beats can be more than 100 per minute and you can feel them when you’re active or relaxing.

In some cases, along with additional symptoms, heart palpitations can be a sign of a condition called atrial fibrillation.

What is atrial fibrillation?

When your heart beats, its muscular walls contract so it can force blood out and around the body. It then relaxes and fills with blood again, repeating the process. With atrial fibrillation, the heart’s upper chambers (atria) contract randomly and often too fast for the heart muscles to relax properly between contractions.

Due to this, the heart can’t carry out its processes efficiently. Atrial fibrillation happens when abnormal electrical impulses are sent into the atria. This becomes overwhelming for your heart and the heart’s natural pacemaker can no longer control your heart’s rhythm. So, you end up with an irregular pulse rate.

Atrial fibrillation can be occasional, persistent, permanent or long-standing and persistent (lasts for more than 12 months). It’s estimated that globally, 34 million people have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

Common symptoms usually include:

Heart palpitations
Weakness
Reduced ability to exercise
Fatigue
Light-headedness
Dizziness
Confusion
Shortness of breath
Chest pain

Causes

Any abnormalities or damage to the heart’s structure can result in atrial fibrillation. Common conditions that may contribute to atrial fibrillation include high blood pressure, heart attacks, coronary artery disease, lung diseases, viral infections, previous heart surgery, and improper functioning of the heart’s natural pacemaker. Risk factors include being older than 65, excessive alcohol intake, family history and a chronic condition like asthma and diabetes.

Prevention

It’s important to live a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation.

Eat a heart-healthy diet.
Exercise regularly
If you smoke, quit now. Keep your weight steady without major fluctuations.
Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Find ways to reduce stress, as intense stress and anger can cause heart rhythm problems.
Use over-the-counter medications with caution, as some may trigger symptoms of atrial fibrillation.

Treatment

Medication to control atrial fibrillation.
Electric shock treatment (cardioversion).
Having a pacemaker fitted.

When to see your doctor

For any symptoms of atrial fibrillation, talk to your doctor. If he suspects atrial fibrillation, he will run tests to examine your symptoms. This is usually an electrocardiogram which helps assess if you may have any other heart disorders. If you have chest pain, go to the hospital or call emergency services immediately. Chest pain could signal a heart attack. A sudden change in your heartbeat, as well as an irregular heartbeat is cause for concern, too.

References:

Is it a panic attack – or a heart attack?

January 8th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Pounding heart, shortness of breath, sweating, fear of losing control or of dying. Sound familiar? These are some of the typical symptoms of a panic attack and a heart attack. So how do you know the difference!?

Panic attack

Heart attack

Symptoms usually peak after 10 mins.

The pain lasts more than 5 minutes and the pain doesn’t affect the breathing.

Pain is concentrated in the chest, and fluctuates: rising & falling.

People describe the pain during a heart attack as constricting.
The intensity of the pain can change.
As a rule, the pain appears in the center of the chest and can move downward along the left arm and along the back.
The pain can also spread to the neck, teeth, and jaw area.

Numbness and prickly sensation is not restricted to the left arm. It can also appear in the right arm, fingers & legs.

Usually the prickly feeling is restricted to the left arm.
This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and a cold, sticky sweat.

During a panic attack, people have irrational fears, like fear they will suffocate, or that they are going insane.

During a heart attack, people usually fear that they might die, and this is concentrated on the pain in their chest.

Managing a panic-attack

Consciously slow your rate of breathing, your racing thoughts, and your body, from head to toe.
Picture a relaxing scene using all your senses. Now, imagine yourself in this scene.
If you can, get up and take a walk even if it’s just to the bathroom. If there are people around you, make small talk.
Picture a person you trust, someone who believes in you, supports you and cares about your wellbeing.
Recall a time you handled a similar situation well, or try to recall a past success and the good feelings from that moment.
Focus on a concrete object in front of or around you. Maybe it’s a paperweight on your desk. Focus on its colour, shape – try to absorb as many details as you can.
Count backwards from 20 and with every number; picture a different image of someone you love, something that pleases you, something that calms you.
Remind yourself that attacks always end. Always.
Remind yourself that panic is not dangerous.
Make yourself yawn, and stretch your body, head to toe.

Managing a heart-attack

If someone looks like they’re having a heart-attack, or you think you are, contact emergency services immediately. If you’re unsure whether it’s a panic attack or heart attack, don’t take the risk! Contact an ambulance.

While you wait for the ambulance, do the following:

Keep the person as calm as possible, and have them lie or sit down.
Have the person chew an aspirin (unless they are allergic).
If they stop breathing, someone who is qualified should perform CPR immediately. If you don’t know CPR, call the emergency services, and they can give you instructions while you wait.

When in doubt, always contact emergency services. Some people feel they don’t want to worry their relatives when they have symptoms of heart attack. Don’t make this mistake! You could risk your life!

References:

What is cholesterol?

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced naturally by your liver and is used for many different things in your body. Cholesterol is one of the most important contributing risk factors leading to the development of heart disease and stroke. Others include age, gender and genes.

What is cholesterol, exactly?

Have you heard your doctor talking about LDL and HDL cholesterol? LDL (Low density lipoprotein) is known as the ‘bad’ cholesterol because it contributes to heart disease by ‘sticking’ to and narrowing the arteries supplying blood to your heart. HDL (High density lipoprotein) cholesterol is known as the ‘good’ cholesterol because it keeps LDL levels in check.

How do I know if I have elevated levels of cholesterol?

Most people who have elevated cholesterol levels surprisingly have no signs or symptoms. Dr Russell Thomson from Hello Doctor advises that you check your cholesterol levels if you have a family history of elevated cholesterol or have been following a poor diet and lead a sedentary lifestyle. If you wait too long, your first symptom might be heart attack or stroke.

How do I get tested?

Your doctor will ask about your family history, carry out a physical exam and take a blood test. You can also get your cholesterol screened at some pharmacy chains, like the Dischem MHealth programme.

Tips for lowering your cholesterol

For most people, abnormal cholesterol levels can be traced to an unhealthy lifestyle – from spending too much time sitting down, and eating an unbalanced diet. Quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet and getting some regular exercise are ways to combat problems with cholesterol.

Dr. Russell Thomson from Hello Doctor suggests choosing healthier unsaturated fats found in foods like avocados, certain nuts like walnuts and oily fish. He also recommends reducing the amount of saturated and trans-fats you eat including chips, processed foods and fried foods.

Find out more about cholesterol

If you want to talk to a doctor about your risks or how to manage your cholesterol, you can do it at any time. Simply sign up on our website. download the free Hello Doctor app from the Google Play or iTunes store. You can contact our doctors 24/7, 365 days of the year!

Questions to ask your doctor (or ours)

What are the dangers of high cholesterol
How can exercise help to lower my cholesterol?
How often do I need to get my cholesterol level checked?
What lifestyle changes can I make to help reduce my cholesterol?

What exactly is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a “deep” vein. These are veins that travel deep in the body and are usually surrounded by muscle.
DVT is a serious condition which can lead to pulmonary embolism. This happens when a blood clot in a deep vein breaks off and travels to the lungs – which can be life-threatening. Blood clots in superficial veins (which are close to the skin) don’t travel to the lungs, so there’s no risk of pulmonary embolism.

Where Does DVT Happen?

Deep Vein Thrombosis usually occurs in the legs and pelvis, but it can happen in any deep vein.

What are the Symptoms?

The body breaks down small clots naturally, but if you have a large clot which can’t be broken down then you might have these symptoms:

Swelling, warmth in the swollen area
Pain or tenderness (you might only feel this when walking or standing)
Redness of the skin

How Do I Know If I Have DVT?

If you have any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned, then you could be at risk. Call your doctor or head to your nearest hospital. You might need to have an ultrasound to find the blood clot, or a procedure called intravenous venography. This is when “dye” is injected into the vein to make any blockages visible on an x-ray.

How is DVT Treated?

There are 4 steps to treating DVT, and your doctor will focus on:

Preventing the blood clot from getting any bigger
Stopping the blood clot from travelling to the lungs
Preventing post-thrombotic syndrome: this condition can cause pain, sores, and swelling in the affected leg
Prevent blood clots from returning

Medication, exercise, pressure stockings, and keeping the leg elevated are all used to help treat DVT.

Is cholesterol really that bad?

September 28th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

How can something that is essential for brain function be bad for you? This is exactly the reputation that cholesterol has earned through the years. And yet, “Cholesterol is necessary to build and maintain cell membranes,” explains Dr David Perlmutter, in the book Brain Maker. “In fact, it’s vital for brain neuron function.”

How publicity made the good guy look bad

A few years ago, based on conflicting medical opinions, people ditched bacon and eggs for muesli, dumped butter for margarine and ran screaming at the mention of cholesterol. It was pinpointed as the main cause of atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in your arteries which cause an obstruction of blood flow).

Since then, HDL has been dubbed as “good” cholesterol, because it helps remove cholesterol from the arteries. LDL, on the other hand, has been dubbed as “bad” cholesterol, because high levels have previously been linked to build-up in the arteries.

What experts are now learning, is that the cholesterol we get from food may not influence the cholesterol levels in the body after all.

Breaking news! Cholesterol may have been innocent

A study by the American Journal of Nutrition shed some interesting insight into cholesterol, saturated fat and overall cardiovascular health. The study worked from the premise of early studies, showing that high intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol led to arthrosclerosis related issues.

After extensive trials they found: “Intake of saturated fat was not associated with an increased risk of CHD, stroke, or CVD. A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD.”

Another more recent study in Future Medicine puts forward that dietary sources of cholesterol don’t play a role in increased risk of heart disease. Similar results come from the British Medical Journal: “Higher consumption of foods that contained high levels of LDL cholesterol did not increase the risk of coronary heart disease and, in fact, reduced the risk of developing a hemorrhagic stroke.”

Still, that’s not to say we should all be diving headfirst into a vat of butter. While cholesterol may have been excessively vilified, you still need to be pragmatic about how much is too much – and why.

How much is too much?

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), healthy people should stick to about 300 milligrams a day. For those with heart disease, diabetes and other coronary risk factors, 200 milligrams looks like the magic number.

Optimistically though, with all this new research, experts tentatively believe these guidelines might be too strict and are looking into raising the limits to 500 milligram a day for health people. Don’t get carried away though – have a chat with your doctor to hone in on what will work for you. Or, you can even talk to one of ours. Just download the Hello Doctor app and request a call.

References

How dangerous are statins?

September 28th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Statins have a great track record for helping those with heart diseases and high cholesterol levels. They help decrease the death rate in people with a history of heart disease and high cholesterol by as much as 20% and doctors are looking to use statins even more widely for other conditions.

How do statins work?

Statins are a group of enzymes also known as “HMG CoA reductase inhibitors” which block the production of cholesterol by standing directly in the metabolic path responsible for forming cholesterol.

The purpose of statins is to raise the levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL = high density lipoprotein) and lower the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL = low density lipoprotein). “Bad” cholesterol or LDL is responsible for the layer of plaque that forms on artery walls and causes heart attacks and strokes. (Although there is more to the story than this.)

More bad news

While statins seem to make a difference to the rates of heart attacks and strokes linked to high cholesterol, up to 15% of people experience side-effects from this medication, such digestive problems like diarrhoea and constipation, weakness and muscle cramps.

Other people have complained about forgetfulness and an overall negative effect on their mood. Statins were also shown to cause liver failure in very rare instances.

Some doctors say that they hear increasingly more complaints of muscle aches and fatigue that could be related to their patients’ statins. Statins can also interact with other medications, especially some antibiotics and antidepressants.

And while there are claims that statins could lower cancer deaths and lower the risk of inflammation in the body, these studies aren’t wholly valid as the sample sizes are simply too small.

The controversies

Statins are generally considered safe and seem to be tolerated well by many. Yet new research by the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London suggests that individuals did not suspect an increase in muscle cramps if they didn’t know they were taking statins. The researchers however, found that those who know they’re taking statins were 41% more likely to report muscle problems.

Although studies have found a slight increased risk for diabetes and a small increase in myopathy, the benefits are still more significant than the possible risks. Another study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, analyased the results of 29 trials involving more than 80 000 people. The study concluded that statins have minimal side-effects and people taking statins had fewer adverse symptoms than those taking a placebo.

This means that people would rather put themselves at risk for heart attacks because they’re discouraged by the controversial nature and the very small risks of the medication. This shouldn’t be the case, because the fatality of a heart attack or stroke is often higher than the very small increased risks of other illnesses and the possible side-effects of statins.

All in all, don’t just stop taking statins because of what you’ve heard. If you do feel any discomfort, first talk to your doctor – or even chat to one of ours.

Important

If you stop statins without consulting a doctor, your cholesterol levels could rise to dangerously high levels. There are some measures your doctor can take if you do experience side-effects:

Switch to a lower dose of statins.
Stop the medication for a while to see if the symptoms go away. Muscle pains and digestion problems can often have other causes.
Alter your exercise regime to rule out muscle cramps.