Don’t let the cardiologist or coroner be the first to tell you about your disease.

by Dr. Craig Backs

I once met with a man in his 60’s who I cared for years ago. He was interested in reconnecting because his current physician had retired. After speaking with him, I offered to develop a custom CurePlan. He declined and stated, “I eat right, I exercise, and my doctor says my cholesterol is good.” I decided to not push the issue because it rarely if ever works to change beliefs. 

A few weeks later, I received a call from the hospital. It was this man’s wife, informing me that he had suffered cardiac arrest while exercising the prior morning. He had been successfully resuscitated and was recovering without apparent residual effects.

He now wanted to discuss a CurePlan because his catheterization had demonstrated three vessel coronary artery disease and he was recommended for coronary bypass surgery. He asked: “What should I do?”   

Sadly, I had little to offer him and urged him to follow the advice he had gotten for standard care. I had no influence on his hospital care other than as a “friend” that would only create friction with his surgeon and other doctors. 

I could have suggested he go home, come see me to discuss the details, and then decide if surgery, with all its risks, is the correct option. However, I didn’t believe it was worth the risk of him going into cardiac arrest again outside the hospital. I did not have all of the details of his diagnosis and he had previously declined my offer for a custom CurePlan and advice for proactive measures.

So, he and his family went through life altering operation on the heels of a life altering cardiac arrest and resuscitation. All of this would likely have been avoided if he had known of his arterial disease early and proactively treated the missed root causes proactively. 

I hope that someone who reads this story will act proactively in their own interest and for the benefit of their loved ones. Identify the disease that lurks within and could take you out in a moment without warning.

What are the important facts and statistics about heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis?

• Most heart attacks and strokes are due to arterial disease known as atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries."

• Over 2,000 Americans die each day from heart attacks and stroke – one out of every 3 deaths or one every 40 seconds.

• Cardiovascular disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined.

• Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the world and the leading cause of death in the United States, killing over 375,000 people per year.

• Stroke is the #5 cause of death in the United States, killing 129,000 people per year. 

• About 795,000 people have a stroke every year in the US.

• Stroke is the leading preventable cause of disability.

• About 8.5 million Americans are living with some consequence of cardiovascular disease or the after-effects of stroke.

• About 635,000 people in the US have a first time heart attack each year and 300,000 have recurrent heart attacks.

• Screening for arterial disease can be more effective, less invasive, efficient, and less expensive than most of us think. Here is why you should schedule a CureScreen Ultrasound appointment:

• It is very common. In reality, eveyone should be presumed guilty until proven innocent, or free of disease. It is a Catastrophic Unseen Reversible Epidemic thst stands for CURE.

• Six of every ten Americans who have suffered a heart attack never knew they had cardiovascular disease.

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, yet most are not screened optimally compared to screening for cancer.

• Only 54 percent of women recognize that heart disease is their number one killer.

• Arterial disease kills and disables far more women than all the cancers combined, yet most women (and men) are not screened optimally for arterial disease.

• Even those with exemplary lifestyles and those who pass standard testing (like stress tests) can suffer events. Standard testing misses all but the more advanced most dangerous stages of the disease. Early detection and treatment is the hallmark of any successful strategy for disease cure when it is infection or cancer. It should and can be the same for arterial disease.

Take the first step in preventing heart attack and stroke. Schedule a simple, 15-minute CureScreen or request a complementary Discovery Call with Dr. Backs.

What is lipoprotein A/Lp(a)? Why could it put me at high risk for heart attack and stroke?

Lipoprotein A or Lp(a) is a subtype of LDL cholesterol. The BaleDoneen Method calls Lp(a) the "mass murderer" because elevated levels of Lp(a) triples your risk of heart attack and stroke. At the CureCenter, we call it the “worst” or “really bad” cholesterol. Think of it as “highly flammable” lipid.

Elevated Lp(a) affects around 30% of the population, yet it is not included in standard lipid testing. Why?

In the past, the test for Lp(a) was expensive. Today, it only costs about $10 and is becoming more common, yet still not routine. Change in practice tends to be slow, particularly in bureaucratic systems designed to keep revenue flowing through interventions. New drugs and associated revenue are on the horizon, potentially explaining a resurgence in interest.

What causes elevated Lp(a)?

Elevated Lp(a) is a genetically determined root cause with little impact from lifestyle or medications.

Genetics determines Lp(a) levels. You are much more likely to have elevated Lp(a) if you have a family history of high Lp(a).

Why does elevated Lp(a) increase risk for heart attack and stroke?

Lp(a) is made of cholesterol, protein, and fat. Elevated levels (>75 mg/dl) increase the likelihood of development of atherosclerosis, leading to heart attack and stroke. Elevated Lp(a) also increases the risk of calcific aortic stenosis, a valve disease that can lead to heart failure. Finally, it accelerates blood clotting. When atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, a blood clot forms more rapidly to occlude blood flow leading to a stroke or heart attack.

When combined with high levels of inflammation, elevated Lp(a) fuels that inflammation in the artery wall and leads to the formation of plaque.

Lp(a) is not included in standard lipid panels ordered by most doctors. It should be.

While its effect is often lost in the statistics of large population studies, Lipoprotein (a) can be dangerous for the minority with significantly elevated levels. For this reason, everyone should have it measured once, especially if you have:

• Family members who have had a heart attack or stroke at an early age

• Premature vascular disease in the absence of other usual risk factors

• Familial hypercholesterolemia

• Family history of elevated Lp(a)

If your Lp(a) is tested and at a normal level, you will not need a repeat test. Your levels will not rise. However, if it is very high, you and your relatives should know, as they could be at high risk as well. 

How are elevated levels of Lp(a) treated?

Niacin is the most effective supplement/drug to reduce levels of Lp(a). We have also witnessed response to Bergamot BPF, an effect we have not seen reported in the literature but have observed incidentally. In our experience Bergamot BPF has had a favorable effect that rivals or exceeds niacin in some cases, and it reduces insulin resistance,a highly prevalent root cause of atherosclerosis.

Lifestyle and statins tend to have very little effect on reducing high levels of Lp(a). They can, however reduce inflammation contribution to disease and cardiac events. Therefore, knowing about the increased risk from Lp(a) can motivate more proactive measures to control these other root causes more optimally.

Knowing about the presence of this "mass murderer" in your body will make healthy diet, exercise, and other risk reductions more imperative. Information is empowering. Become aware of Lp(a) - the “worst” or “really bad” cholesterol.

For further reading on Lipoprotein A, we recommend the BaleDoneen website.