Focus on Coronary Heart Disease Prevention

It is important to realize that coronary heart disease can be prevented. Here are some things you can do to lower your risk:

  • Diet - Try to eat 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day, especially those rich in potassium and magnesium (such as broccoli, citrus fruits, and spinach). Eating a balanced diet helps your weight stay in check, and reduces your heart disease risk at the same time.
  • Exercise - It only takes walking 3 miles a day, 4 days a week to reduce your risk by nearly 30%. Even moderate, regular physical activity helps lower your risk of a heart attack. Examples include gardening, yard work and dancing.
  • Medications - Your doctor will develop a plan to help reduce your risk of heart disease. See your doctor regularly and follow his or her advice. If you take all the medications that are prescribed for you and follow their directions carefully, your coronary heart disease risk can be reduced. Remember to take your medication regularly, even if you don't feel sick.

If you follow your doctor's suggestions, you are on the right track to a healthier lifestyle.

How Can the PLAC® Test Help Me?

  • High levels of Lp-PLA2 indicate increased risk for coronary heart disease
  • If you have one or more traditional risk factors and elevated levels of Lp-PLA2, you can work aggressively with your physician to create a personalized treatment plan
  • Research has shown that certain medications that reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease have also been shown to reduce Lp-PLA2 levels1,2

 

The PLAC test can bring you one step closer to identifying your risk for coronary heart disease. Ask your doctor if the PLAC test is right for you.

  

  1. Tsimihodimos V, Kakafika A, Tambaki AP, et al. Fenofibrate induces HDL-associated PAF-AH but attenuates enzyme activity associated with apoB-containing lipoproteins. J Lipid Res. 2003;44:927-934.
  2. Schaefer EJ, McNamara JR, Asztalos BF, et al. Effects of Atorvastatin Versus Other Statins on Fasting and Postprandial C-Reactive Protein and Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Versus Control Subjects. Am J Cardiol. 2005;95:1025-1032.

Did You Know?

  • On average, someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds
  • Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States
  • There are about 1.2 million heart attacks per year in America
  • 70.1 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease
  • Nearly half a million women will die from a cardiovascular disease this year
  • Americans will pay $393.5 million in 2005 for cardiovascular disease related medical costs and disability.

 

(Source: American Heart Association)