Dr. Houston Answers Your Top Heart Health Questions – Part 1
I had the opportunity to interview hypertension expert Dr. Mark Houston last month (February 2010). Here are three of the questions he answered.
Lisa Nelson RD: It is typically recommended that cholesterol medications be taken prior to bed. Would you explain the reason why? Also, is there a best time of day to take blood pressure medication?
Dr. Houston: Statins work best at night to inhibit an enzyme in the liver when cholesterol production is the highest. Blood pressure medications are best taken at night to reduce the early morning increase in blood pressure which is highest between 3 AM and 10AM.
Lisa Nelson RD: If you discontinue a blood pressure medication how long does it stay in your system?
Dr. Houston: It depends on the duration of action of the medication. Some of the longer acting medications may last for 24 to 72 hours. However most are gone in 24 hours or less. Never stop any blood pressure medication abruptly especially beta blockers and clonidine, as withdrawal may occur with rapid increases in blood pressure, heart rate, headache, chest pain, palpitations and even heart attack or stroke.
Lisa Nelson RD: When someone has uncontrolled systolic blood pressure (diastolic tends to be within normal) what are steps they can take to promote control of systolic blood pressure?
Dr. Houston: Low salt, high magnesium intake, high potassium intake, fruits and vegetables, exercise, weight loss. The best medications for Systolic blood pressure are ACEI, ARB and CCB. Diuretics and beta blockers are less effective. High systolic usually means stiff arteries.
I’ll be posting more of the Q&A with Dr. Houston over the next few weeks. Sign-up for the e-course 7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure and you’ll also be notified when the new blog posts are added.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://www.lowerbloodpressurewithlisa.com
Cholesterol Medication, Grapefruit, and Fungi
Currently there are cholesterol medications that interact with grapefruit meaning individuals that are prescribed these medications need to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. There’s a component in grapefruit called furanocomarins (FCs) that interfere with the enzyme activity that metabolizes (breaksdown) certain medications. Therefore grapefruit can inhibit the medication from entering the bloodstream.
The USDA Agricultural Research Service found a fungus (Aspergillus niger) that will bind with FCs causing the component to be inactive. This may mean avoiding grapefruit may not be necessary in the future for individuals taking certain medications.
I’m curious to know your thoughts. I’m not so sure I like the idea of altering the FCs in grapefruit. Who knows if there is a benefit we haven’t learned yet related to FCs? Also, what if inhibiting FCs causing a new problem? Share your thoughts below!
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
http://www.lowercholesterolwithlisa.com
Lower Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Now with Take Action Guide – American Heart Month
Every February marks American Heart Month. Heart disease is the number on killer of Americans with cardiovascular disease and stroke taking nearly 1 million lives every year. Heart disease is strongly affected by your diet and lifestyle choices. By making some simple, but necessary changes you can drastically decrease your risk by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
Heart Health Made Easy: Master the Basics to Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol for a Longer, Healthier Life – American Heart Month Savings
Purchase Heart Health Made Easy before February 28th and you’ll receive a 25% savings
The program takes you step-by-step to a lower cholesterol and blood pressure with a practical, easy to understand take action guide.
THIS PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF. . .
- You are newly diagnosed with high cholesterol and/or blood pressure and don’t know the next step.
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- You want all the information they need to know in one location.
- You don’t want to search for the answers yourself, but want the information you need easily and quickly accessible.
Learn more at http://hearthealthmadeeasy.com
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Why is Heart Disease Overlooked in Women?
Did you know heart disease kills a woman nearly every minute in the U.S.?
If heart disease is responsible for so many female deaths why is it still being overlooked not only by women themselves, but by their physicians as well? Heart disease is not only the number one killer of men, but it’s also the number one killer of women.
Here are a few scary statistic:
- 64% of women who diet from heart disease have no previous symptoms
- 1 in 2.6 deaths in women is due to heart disease versus 1 in 30 from breast cancer
- Heart disease kills about half a million women every year
Don’t underestimate your risk for heart disease and the importance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. The foods you eat and your level of physical activity both play a role in your heart health.
Be sure to sign-up for the free e-course How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Saturated Fat Not Linked to Heart Disease – What Do You Think?
The latest research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that saturated fat is not linked to heart disease as we’ve always be told. This latest study was a meta-analysis and did not find significant evidence linking dietary saturated fat with increased risk of heart disease.
A meta-analysis combines the results of several studies completed with similar theories. In this particular analysis, 21 studies were compared in regards to dietary fat and heart disease risk. I do like meta-analysis results, because they can provide a big picture look at the overall findings. However, there are weaknesses.
Here are three known weaknesses:
- Reliance on published studies – Studies that do not show significant results have difficulty getting published. If a meta-analysis only includes studies showing a positive or negative association there could be many unpublished studies finding no link.
- Studies included are not controlled – A meta-analysis may include studies with a poor design which can skew results inaccurately. The studies included in a meta-analysis is a subjective design made by the researchers – they get to decide.
- Simpson’s Paradox – This deals with statistics and how study results are interpreted. There are different ways to measure results and there is no one agreed upon measurement method – with is of particular importance in the field of medicine.
Why am I sharing this information with you?
Because the results of this latest meta-analysis are interesting, but I do not recommend you throw out your olive oil and replace it with lard. It’s likely saturated fat does not deserve the “bad rap” it has received; however, that doesn’t mean excess amounts are good. Everything comes back to moderation.
Please let me know what you think by adding a comment below.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips
http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com
Cholesterol Awareness with an Olympian
Mark Spitz is now a retired Olympic swimmer and he turns 60 years-old on February 10th. In case you do not know of Mark Spitz, Mark won 7 gold medals at the 1972 Olympic games. His record was just recently surpassed by Michael Phelps at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with 8 gold medals.
Back in 2002, Mark was diagnosed with cholesterol levels above 300 mg/dl. He worked with his physician to lower his levels through exercise and medication. His total cholesterol was back down below 200 mg/dl within one month. Mark’s been quoted as saying “I was shocked when I was diagnosed with high cholesterol because I had no symptoms at all.” In the past few years Mark has openly discussed his history with high cholesterol and has actively encouraged continued research and awareness.
One of the 2010 national health objectives is to decrease the number of adults with total cholesterol levels >240 mg/dl. A strategy used to reach this goal is increased public awareness. The CDC has found that the number of people screened for high cholesterol and told by a health professional they have high cholesterol has increased. Before you can take action to lower cholesterol levels you have to be aware your cholesterol is an issue. If you do not know your cholesterol levels discuss with your physician to have the necessary lab work completed.
Be sure to sign-up for the free e-course How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps provided by dietitian Lisa Nelson at http://www.lowercholesterolwithlisa.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
