heart health

How and why does gut health influence heart health?

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Lately, there has been a lot of research looking at the link between the brain and the gut. We wanted to know: Is there a similar link between the heart and the gut? Doctors agree there most certainly is, and mostly it is mediated by the health and balance of the gut microbiome.

collage showing illustration of digestive system and illustration of a heart

In this Special Feature, we explore the strong link between the gut and heart health. Design by MNT; Photography by mikroman6/Getty Images & ilbusca/Getty Images.

A popular adage has it that “you are what you eat.” And every year new research continues to suggest that this idea may, in fact, be correct.

Recently, scientists have been focusing on a potential link between the health of the gut and that of the heart.

Doctors already recommend eating heart-healthy foods, and medical professionals agree that much of the correlation between heart and gut health has to do with the gut microbiome, including its composition, and a toxic byproduct it creates when metabolizing certain foods.

Medical News Today spoke with five experts to get to the bottom of how much gut health truly impacts cardiovascular health.

What is the gut microbiome? 

All the experts we spoke to agreed that the gut microbiome can have a profound impact on heart health.

“The gut microbiome is a complex community of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, that reside in the human digestive tract, primarily in the large intestine (colon),” Dr. Nathaniel E. Lebowitz, a cardiologist with Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey explained to MNT.

“These microorganisms can be healthy or unhealthy depending on what we feed them. If they are unhealthy, all of our body’s systems can go haywire. Just like we depend on the microbiome for our health, it depends on us for its health,” he detailed.

“Keeping the microbiome healthy is increasingly found to be critically important for all of our organs — including the heart and arteries,” Dr. Lebowitz continued. “We know that inflammationTrusted Source is possibly the main driver these days when it comes to so many health problems, especially with the heart. The microbiome plays a big role in counteracting inflammation.”

In turn, Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, told MNT that:

“There’s more and more research coming out that there is a connection between the composition of someone’s gut flora or the microbiome. There’s a connection between the type, distribution, and relative composition of gut bacteria that someone has and an association with their risk factors for heart disease — that includes high blood pressureTrusted Source, high cholesterolTrusted Source, [and] obesityTrusted Source.”

Past research has linked an unbalanced gut microbiome to an increased risk for several cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart diseaseTrusted Source, heart failureTrusted Source, strokeTrusted Source, heart attackTrusted Source, hypertensionTrusted Source, and atherosclerosisTrusted Source.

What is TMAO?

Another way in which the gut microbiome can potentially have harmful effects on the heart is through the production of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO)Trusted Source.

“When gut microbes feed on choline — found in red meatTrusted Source, poultry, eggs, [and] certain fish — they make trimethylamineTrusted Source (TMA), which is absorbed into the body and goes to the liver where it is changed into TMAO,” Dr. John P. Higgins, a sports cardiologist at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) explained.

“TMAO is bad because it is associated with cholesterol and artery narrowing plaque in important arteries in the body, especially the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart. So people with high levels of TMAO are at increased risk of heart attacks or stroke,” he noted.

“Studies have associated TMAO with aspects of inflammation and blood vessel dysfunction,” Dr. Chen added. “It also promotes foam cellsTrusted Source in the blood vessels. All of these different things end up promoting different types of heart disease, such as atherosclerosis, and they can also lead to different aspects of cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure.”

A study published in October 2019 linked TMAO to disease severity and mortality rate in people with peripheral artery diseaseTrusted Source.

Research published in March 2023 reported an increase of TMAO in blood plasma was an independent predictor for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular eventsTrusted Source in people who experienced acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).

And a study published in March 2022 correlated elevated TMAO levels with large artery atherosclerotic ischemic strokeTrusted Source.

Why is a well-balanced gut microbiome important?

As the gut microbiome influences not only heart health, but the well-being of the entire body, experts agree that it must be well-balanced for optimal function.

“An easy way to think about the gut microbiome is like a beautiful farm garden,” Monique Richard, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight explained to MNT.

“The various gut bugs, or microbiota, are like the components of the garden, each having their own job function to contribute to a bountiful harvest. The garden needs components like healthy soil, clean water, proper nutrients, structure, and tender love and care,” she continued the analogy.

According to Dr. Lebowitz:

“If we eat foods that feed the good bacteria — an alkaline diet high in fruits and veggies — we will be fostering the health of a healthy microbiome. Eating foods that contain too much refined carbohydrates, sugar, and processed foods can have the opposite effect and feed bad bacteria which can trigger inflammation that causes disease — and the arteries and the heart are no exception to this. If there is inflammation in the arteries, as an example, cholesterol will stick to it.”

Richard said it is also important to note that each person’s gut microbiota has its function in helping process what we eat and supporting various functions of digestion and systemic function.

“One example includes our gut microbes breaking down compounds into what are called short-chain fatty acidsTrusted Source (SCFAs) like butyrateTrusted Source,” she continued.

“Butyrate has many known benefits which include being anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective. The better equipped our gut is with benefits to nurture the components of our internal ‘garden,’ the more robust the rest of our systems will be since it is all connected and work together,” explained Richard.

Why is fiber heart-healthy? 

In addition to following a heart-healthy diet, medical experts agree that getting enough dietary fiber is also required to keep the gut-heart connection thriving.

“Foods that contain fiber are pretty heart healthy — low in saturated fats, low in sodium,” Dr. Chen explained. “And fiber itself is actually food for the gut bacteria. So the more fiber you have, the healthier they will be. They process the fiber and break it down.”

“Fiber-rich foods definitely lower the risk of heart disease and stroke by quite a bit,” Dr. Rudolph Bedford, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, told MNT. “Fiber in itself will help to not only take away many of the bad toxins but will also lower the cholesterol level.”

“High fiber diets are great because the microbiome breaks fiber down into beneficial things like short-chain fatty acids which are associated with improved blood pressure, blood sugar, less inflammation, and weight loss — all of which can boost [cardiovascular] health,” Dr. Higgens added.

Past studies have linked higher dietary fiber intake with lowerTrusted Source long-term cardiovascular disease risk, as well as reduced incidence and mortalityTrusted Source from heart disease.

Should you take probiotics or prebiotics? 

While eating the right foods can help keep the gut microbiome healthy, there has been a lot of talk over the past few years about taking prebiotic and probiotic supplements to aid with gut health.

In the most basic terms, probiotics are bacteria beneficial to the gut microbiome, while prebiotics are food for those bacteria.

Some foods are natural prebiotics — these include oats, bananas, onions, artichokes, spinach, and chia seeds.

“The problem with probiotics is that they’re a ‘food supplement,’ and much of this is strain-dependent —in other words, what type of strains are within those probiotics,” Dr. Bedford explained. “There’s no doubt that certain strains of probiotics may certainly aid in gut health and may even help in decreasing your risk of cardiovascular disease.”

“But the fact of the matter is that there are just so many different probiotics out there and none of this is regulated by any government agency,”he continued. “It’s somewhat of a challenge to recommend probiotics to patients, depending upon what it is that they’re actually getting. You should definitely speak to your physician before you start a probiotic or prebiotic.”

Healthy gut, healthy heart

With so much evidence pointing to a link between the gut microbiome and cardiovascular health, following a healthy diet rich in foods that aid the good bacteria in the gut is important.

“The gut microbiome itself may cause elevations of cholesterol levels or decreasing cholesterol levels, increasing in other types of chemicals […] such as TMAO, which may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes and even kidney diseaseTrusted Source,” Dr. Bedford said. “Gut health is eminently connected to the heart.”

“It appears that having a healthy gut is important to heart health, through indirect effects — improving cardiovascular disease risk factors — and direct effects — TMAO-promoting artery-blocking plaque,” Dr. Higgins said. “[It] also boosts [the] immune systemTrusted Source.”

Dr. Lebowitz advised:

“If your diet is healthy then your diet will promote good health. Eating the right foods, for example, fruits, veggies, and cold water fatty fish like salmon, pacific herring, and sardines can help to reduce inflammation and your risk of heart disease. The right nutrition can work wonders — it can even reverse some of the damage already done.”

“The quality of what we consume is important, but so is the environment we consume it from,” Richard said. “Be sure to take time to sit at a table in an inviting environment as often as you can.”

”Take time to slowly chew your food, use your senses to observe, and enjoy the experience of eating. When we are enjoying a meal together around a table — away from technology and convenience — we are feeding so much more than our bodies and gut. These practices are critically more important to the heart, mind, and body than we can measure in a study,” she emphasized.

“It is also important to remember that all things are interconnected,” added Richard. “Nurturing our ‘internal garden’ also requires other ways the heart can thrive and be protected like exposure to nature and fresh air, loving relationships, activities that bring joy and happiness, regular activity, and sunshine.”

Why You Should Try the Mediterranean Diet for Heart Health, Weight Loss, and Longevity

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There’s a reason it’s viewed as the #1 diet in the world.

mediterranean diet

It’s no secret by now that people who live in the Mediterranean region—like Greece, Italy, and Spain—live longer and healthier lives than those in many other countries. Beyond their zest for life, chalk it up to what’s on their plates. Enter the Mediterranean diet.

Year after year, the Mediterranean diet is ranked as one of the top diets by a panel of health experts at U.S. News & World Report, and an overwhelming amount of research shows it can lead to sustainable weight loss, improve heart health and brain function, and even prevent chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer.

Additionally, a recent study found that swapping out saturated fats like butter, mayonnaise, and dairy fat for olive oil could have benefits on your heart health, increase longevity, lower your risk for cancer, and improve cognitive functioning. Plus, the American Heart Association recently released new heart-healthy guidelines that include a diet that mirrors the Mediterranean diet.

Maybe it’s because the Mediterranean diet doesn’t fit into the restrictive calorie-driven framework of an actual “diet.” But it’s not quite as simple as chowing down on pasta, pizza, and hummus, either. The Mediterranean diet is actually more of a style of eating that involves lots of olive oil, fresh fruits and veggies, fatty fish, and even the occasional glass of red wine.

Here’s everything you need to know to embrace the number diet in the world.

What is the Mediterranean diet meal plan?

Unlike other diets, the Mediterranean diet is about the foods you should eat, rather than foods you should restrict. There aren’t any major rules about counting your calories, sugar intake, or macros. It simply encourages enjoying whole foods in moderation (what a concept!).

Mediterranean diet foods list

Creating a Mediterranean-approved grocery list is simple, and there are more foods you can add to your cart than foods you should avoid, says Amy Gorin, M.S., R.D.N., owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area. Ultimately, think of the Mediterranean diet as a plant-based eating plan with fish, poultry, and dairy occasionally thrown into the mix.

Eat plenty of:

  • Colorful fruits and vegetables
  • Fish and other types of seafood at least twice per week
  • Olive oil
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Beans and legumes
  • Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats
  • Fresh herbs

Eat in moderation:

  • Poultry and eggs
  • Dairy like milk, cheese, and yogurt
  • Red wine (up to one glass per day for women and two glasses per day for men, if you choose to drink)

Limit your intake:

  • Refined grains and oils
  • Red meat or deli meats
  • Processed or packaged foods
  • Foods high in added sugar, such as pastries or candies

What are the benefits of the Mediterranean diet?

It wouldn’t be the top diet for multiple years running if it wasn’t really good for you. Unlike many fad diets, there’s an abundance of legit studies that back up the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, with highlights in the following areas:

Heart health

Alongside the DASH diet, the Mediterranean diet is known to protect your ticker. One large study of more than 30,000 women found that adherence to the eating plan over a 10-year period lead to lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. In another study, participants had lower blood pressure after following the Mediterranean diet for just six months.

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Researchers attribute these positive outcomes to the abundance of heart-healthy nutrients found in the diet’s whole foods, like antioxidants from fresh fruits and veggies, fiber found in whole grains, and healthy unsaturated fats packed in fish, nuts, and olive oil.

Cancer risk

A comprehensive 2017 review states that people living in the Mediterranean region have lower rates of cancer than those in Northern Europe or the United States, and the authors credit this impressive stat to following a Mediterranean diet. Research has also found that loading up on Mediterranean food staples can decrease the levels of inflammatory markers that are associated with tumor growth.

Weight loss

An updated analysis was recently published after nearly 6,000 adults with Type 2 diabetes or risk for cardiovascular disease were assigned a Mediterranean diet plan with olive oil, a Mediterranean diet plan with nuts, or a control diet. Those who followed the Mediterranean diet with nuts saw an improved difference in waistline over a five-year period.

Another study analyzed the diets of over 32,000 Italian participants over the age of 12-years-old. Researchers found those who followed a Mediterranean diet had lower levels of weight gain and less increase in waist circumference.

Type 2 diabetes

In one 2015 review of research, the Mediterranean diet was associated with better glycemic control than other diets. Translation: Researchers think that the high intake of polyphenols (a.k.a. plant compounds that act as antioxidants) from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts can improve insulin sensitivity and therefore reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Brain function

Scientists also surmise that polyphenols may be beneficial for brain health, specifically when it comes to depression, since polyphenols influence neurotransmitters in the brain that possess anti-depression activities.

In addition to regular exercise, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight, the World Health Organization also specifically recommends following a Mediterranean diet to decrease your risk of developing dementia as it is “the most extensively studied dietary approach in relation to cognitive function.”

Are there any downsides of following a Mediterranean diet?

With its prestigious reputation and science-backed benefits, the Mediterranean diet doesn’t seem to have many cons. One major con of the Mediterranean diet is the cost of following a plan that requires a large number of fresh foods and the time required to prepare them. This can prove difficult for someone working a busy schedule or following a strict budget.

And like any eating plan, having certain indulgences in moderation can be tough for some people, according to Gorin. “The diet limits certain foods, such as alcohol and dairy, so you may feel like you miss them if you follow the Mediterranean diet,” she says.

It also recommends restricting your intake of processed foods, red meat, and sugary desserts. While this is common with any healthy diet, it can be challenging (read: cue the cravings!) at first if you’re used to eating these foods on the regular.

How to start the Mediterranean diet

When planning your Mediterranean menu, Gorin suggests thinking outside the box and including colorful ingredients, such as wild blueberries, in your daily diet. “Wild blueberries boast anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that may help boost cognitive function, inhibit growth of certain cancer cells, and even help lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol,” says Gorin.

She also recommends eating fish at least twice per week. “Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring have the omega-3’s EPA and DHA, which can help you lower risk of heart disease,” Gorin says. Here’s a sample meal plan of a typical day on the Mediterranean diet.

Breakfast: Smoothie with 1 cup wild blueberries, ½ banana, ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, and one tablespoon of nut butter. Or try any of these best Mediterranean diet breakfast recipes.

Lunch: Buddha bowl made with ½ cup lentils, 1 to 2 cups various colored veggies, ½ cup chickpeas, 1/3 avocado, and a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice

Snack: One to two tablespoons of hummus, sliced bell peppers, and carrots

Dinner: 3.5 ounces grilled salmon, 1/2 cup cooked brown rice, one cup kale sautéed in one tablespoon olive oil

Dessert: One ounce of dark chocolate and 1 ounce of nuts

5 Spices That Can Improve Your Heart Health, According To Doctors

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They’re high in antioxidants and can even eliminate the need to add salt and sugar.

Whether you’re baking an apple pie, jazzing up a bowl of oatmeal, or making hummus or a pot of curry, spices are important ingredients that give a dish its unique flavor. Too little and spices go unnoticed and too much — well, you can ruin a recipe. Spices make a dish sing.

Although these minuscule ingredients may seem irrelevant, not only do they add plenty of pizzazz to a dish, but many spices have beneficial properties that are good for our health, too.

“Spices are high in antioxidants, and antioxidants fight free radicals that can wreak havoc in our bodies,” said Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, a preventative cardiologist in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and founder of Step One Foods, a food company to help patients make healthier eating choices to minimize a need for medication. “For heart health specifically, antioxidants help reduce the impact of elevated cholesterol levels,” she added.

But spices can do even more than that. According to Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian, “Spices can add several antioxidant compounds that can lead to a decrease in inflammation and a positive impact on cardiovascular health.”

And because spices increase flavor, they can reduce the need for salt. “Adding spices to your food is a great way to improve the taste of the food without adding salt or sugar,” said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, the medical director of Atria New York City and clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Salt can raise blood pressure and worsen heart failure symptoms. Sugar can lead to weight gain and worsen glucose levels,” which can also put a strain on the heart, Goldberg said.

Looking to strengthen your heart health? Here are five spices experts recommend for heart health.

Cinnamon

Aromatic and sweet with peppery and woodsy notes, cinnamon is an essential baker’s ingredient and a common pantry staple, whether it’s for making a pumpkin pie, cinnamon rolls or to brighten up a bowl of oatmeal. “Cinnamon has been shown to help control blood sugar levels, especially in diabetics,” Klodas explained. “When you control blood sugar levels, there are secondary benefits from a cholesterol perspective — cinnamon lowers cholesterol and lowers triglycerides too, so it helps improve the cholesterol profile.”

Klodas loves to add cinnamon to her coffee, and she eats oatmeal in the winter and sprinkles in cinnamon. Goldberg added, “Cinnamon is a great way to sweeten oatmeal without adding sugar.”

Cumin

Cumin is used as both a whole seed and as ground powder and is a common addition in Indian cooking, but also tastes great to spice up Mexican dishes like beans or guacamole.

“Cumin is a heart-healthy spice because it contains flavonoids, a potent antioxidant that can help lower inflammation in the body,” Routhenstein said. “Cumin may also assist with weight loss and increase the release of bile from the liver to help digest fats.”

Curious how to incorporate cumin in your cooking? “Cumin has a nutty and warming flavor to it, and works well in bean dishes, stews and as a flavor enhancer to rice or quinoa,” Routhenstein suggested.

Garlic

Botanically speaking, garlic is a vegetable, but often gets grouped as a spice. After all, you’ll find garlic powder in the spice section at the grocery store. “Garlic has been shown to improve blood vessel flexibility and can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels,” Klodas shared. Plus, it can reduce blood pressure, which is important for a healthy heart. “Garlic and other spices from the allium group are antioxidants and may have a role in lowering blood pressure,” Goldberg said.

But is there a difference between fresh and powdered garlic? In short, yes. “It is best to eat garlic in the fresh form, but if that is unavailable to you or it is more convenient in the dried form, you can still reap many of its benefits through the powdered form,” Routhenstein said.

A common ingredient for an array of savory dishes, this pungent bulb brings an abundance of flavor to any recipe. “Garlic features prominently in any savory dish — pasta sauces, soups, pesto, chilies … ” Klodas said. She shared that when she’s making any of these types of dishes, she uses plenty of garlic.

Ginger

Ginger is a rhizome with a peppery and pungent flavor that brings a lot of aroma to both savory and sweet dishes as well as beverages, such as ginger tea, ginger ale and ginger beer. Similar to garlic, ginger is most pungent in its fresh form, but also comes dried and powdered.

“I would limit more processed forms of ginger like ginger ale or ginger beer due to its high levels of sugar,” Routhenstein advised. “Instead, choose to add fresh ginger in a smoothie or in your own herbal infusion, or use a ginger tea bag to reap its anti-inflammatory, GI-soothing benefits.”

“The active compound in ginger is gingerol, which has been shown to lower oxidative stress,” Routhenstein explained. “Oxidative stress can promote atherosclerosis and heart disease, and is typically present in excess in many heart conditions, and lowering it is advantageous for heart health.”

Curious how to use this versatile root in your cooking? “You can enjoy ginger in tea, pickled and added to your meal, in stir frys, or as a slightly peppery addition to your smoothie,” Routhenstein suggested.

Paprika

Paprika comes from grinding up dried red peppers, and it comes in different versions ― sweet, smoky and spicy.

“Paprika is a heart-healthy spice because of its rich vitamin A content,” Routhenstein explained. “It belongs to the beta carotene family, which is a potent carotenoid ― the pigment that gives paprika its bright color and provides an antioxidant boost to your food. Some studies show it may also help lower HDL cholesterol.”

The type of paprika you reach for will depend on what you’re cooking and your heat tolerance. “You can choose to select sweet, smoked or hot paprika depending on the dish and your flavor preference,” Routhenstein said. “The sweet paprika has a pinch of smokiness and pairs well on top of hummus, tofu, eggs and fish. The smoked paprika is sweet and smoky and offers a nice balance to bean and rice dishes.” And if you want to add kick to your meals, there’s hot paprika. “The hot paprika has a spicier kick and works well in soups, stews and braised dishes,” Routhenstein added.

Wondering if eating spices can have any negative side effects? Typically, there isn’t a need for concern. “When these spices are cooked in foods in normal small doses, there usually aren’t many contraindications,” Routhenstein said. “All spices are good for us in moderation. Although some people could have an allergy,” Klodas added. “Overdoing it, as with anything, can be problematic.”

Yet it’s important to consider which spices you’re consuming, especially if you’re on medication.

“We see the need to caution against certain spices like garlic, turmeric, ginger, paprika and cinnamon when individuals are on blood thinners and are ingesting large volumes of these spices, or using supplementation with these active ingredients,” Routhenstein warned. When making any changes to your diet, it’s always a good idea to speak with a health professional. “I would always consult with your registered dietitian who specializes in the condition to ensure optimal safety for you based on your medical conditions and the medications you are taking,” Routhenstein said.

The Hidden Dangers of Statins: How Cholesterol Drugs May Damage Heart Health

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Statins rank among the most prescribed drugs globally, taken by 1 in 4 adults over 45 in the U.S. alone[1]. For decades, patients have relied on these cholesterol-lowering medications to prevent heart disease. But emerging research indicates statins may inadvertently accelerate coronary artery calcification and impair heart muscle function[2],[3].

Statins: The Cholesterol Myth and A Billion Dollar Industry

The medical establishment heralded statins as heroes in the “war on heart disease” based on the disproved hypothesis that cholesterol accumulation is the primary driver of atherosclerosis. Statins suppress cholesterol production which drug makers, national guidelines panels (largely run by pharma insiders)[4], and many doctors insist equates to cardiovascular disease protection no matter the collateral damage incurred[5].

But as the American public pops over a quarter billion statin pills annually, evidence against this “cholesterol myth” continues mounting. No one disputes statins effectively lower cholesterol. The question is – at what cost for the promised benefit?

Over 300 Adverse Effects: A “Magic Pill” Too Good to Be True

As early as the 1990’s, research revealed over 100 adverse health effects associated with statin medications – today numbering over 300[6] ranging from muscle damage to diabetes. Yet sales reached $25 billion in the U.S. last year alone[7]. 

But recent studies uncover statins may achieve the opposite of their intended effect by accelerating coronary artery calcification that triggers heart attacks. One expert review describes statins potentially acting as “mitochondrial toxins” that damage muscles including the heart itself[2].

Statins Deplete Heart & Cardio-Protective Nutrients

The study authors warn long-term statin use inhibits coenzyme Q10 synthesis – critical for energy production in muscles[8]. Consider the fact that our heart is a muscle that never stops exerting itself, and therefore has the highest requirement for energy synthesis and coenzyme Q10 in the body. It is no surprise, therefore, that studies link low coQ10 to worsening heart failure[9]. Statins also deplete or impair vitamins K2[10], selenium[11], and minerals like zinc[12] proven to prevent vascular calcification and protect heart function[13]. Nutrient depletion apparently outweighs purported anti-inflammatory effects in the cardiovascular risk/benefit scale.

Research: Do Statins Worsen Heart Disease Risks?

According to experts, most doctors fail to recognize statin-induced cardiomyopathy and instead attribute muscle damage symptoms to aging versus drug toxicity[2]. Meanwhile research shifting focus to heart muscle impacts continues building:

  • A 2022 study published in Arteriosclerosis directly linked statins with accelerated coronary artery calcium deposition within vessels[3].
  • Another report found patients halting statins and supplementing depleted coenzyme Q10 reversed stiffness and dysfunction in over half studied – confirming statins as the culprit.[14]. 
  • A 2019 study warned statins accelerate calcification of heart valves and blockage of ventricular veins among other effects rarely monitored[15].
  • A 2017 study in Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology concluded that “statin therapy can no longer be defended as the final word in prevention of cardiovascular disease”[16].

Who Benefits? Weighing Statin Heart Risks Versus Rewards 

Considering their demonstrated broad spectrum toxicity and newly discovered adverse impacts on the heart itself, experts argue patients require fully informed consent before starting long-term statin use. With over 30 million Americans diagnosed with heart disease or type 2 diabetes at elevated CVD risk, demand continues growing[17] alongside expanding research on the cardiotoxic footprint of aggressively lowering lipids as national policy.

For individuals at high risk of vascular events due to uncontrolled hypertension, obesity or insulin resistance – dietary changes, exercise habits, and metabolism-regulating nutraceuticals (like berberine or fish oil) may optimize cholesterol levels without compromising coenzyme Q10 status long-term like statins[18]. Those undergoing short-term statin treatment post-heart attack require coenzyme Q10 replenishment to avoid cardiomyopathy. The conventional standard of care still largely favors limited statin use for secondary prevention – but the tide may be turning.

While the scale now tips towards statin avoidance as a precautionary approach, there are countless patients who are still not aware of the overblown benefits versus the underreported risks of using cholesterol-lowering medications. But one certainty persists in light of accumulating safety signals: patients (and their doctors) deserve truth transparency around the possibility that using cholesterol lowering pills may actually do more harm than good. 

Earlier cholesterol checks could prevent up to 20-percent of premature heart disease

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High cholesterol levels in adolescence can cause structural and functional cardiac damage leading to premature heart damage and death, but a new study finds earlier checks could prevent 20-percent of the adult population developing preventable heart problems.

Conducted in collaboration between the University of Exeter, University of Bristol, and the University of Eastern Finland, results are published in Atherosclerosis. The current study used data from the University of Bristol’s Children of the 90’s cohort, also known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

According to the World Health Organization cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, killing more than 17.9 million people every year. This new research has found elevated cholesterol and dyslipidaemia in children and adolescents increases the risk of premature death by their mid-40s and heart issues such as subclinical atherosclerosis in their mid-20s.

Dr Andrew Agbaje of the University of Exeter led the study and says these findings show earlier cholesterol checks are needed. He said: “We are seeing the first evidence of the catastrophic effects of elevated cholesterol levels on the heart more than two decades before the age of 40 – which is when current health guidelines recommend cholesterol check. Waiting until the age of 40 years might result in one in five of the adult population developing preventable heart problems.

“To reduce the risk of dyslipidaemia, experts have proposed universal paediatric lipid screening including the potential adoption of an ‘adolescent cholesterol passport’ to help track the increase in cholesterol levels and initiate a timely preventive treatment in the young population. Our recent studies are now contributing stronger evidence that may facilitate a healthier heart. Therefore, public health experts, paediatricians, parents, and health policymakers should encourage early cholesterol checks, especially in the teenage years.”

In total, the data of 1,595 adolescents (955 female) was analysed. The adolescents were 17 years old at baseline and they were followed up for seven years until young adulthood at age 24. Cholesterol levels and evidence of heart damage were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Signs of heart structure damage are left ventricular hypertrophy and high relative wall thickness, whereas signs of heart function damage are left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and increased left ventricular filling pressure.

With extensive control for fat mass, muscle mass, insulin, glucose, inflammation, blood pressure, smoking status, sedentary time, physical activity, socio-economic status, and family history of cardiovascular disease, and using adults’ cut points for diagnosing heart damage, it was observed that increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels increased the risk of premature heart damage by 18 to 20-percent. Whereas increased triglycerides doubled and tripled the risk of early structural and functional heart damage within seven years.

These results were seen both among adolescents with normal weight and among those considered overweight or obese. Some of these results were also seen among those with normal blood pressure and those with elevated blood pressure. The findings also revealed that both males and females were affected alike. It was discovered that while increased cholesterol contributed 30-percent to the direct damage of the heart, both increased fat mass and blood pressure indirectly contributed 40-percent to heart damage. The remaining 30-percent could be explained by genetics and sedentary time.

Dr Andrew Agbaje of the University of Exeter said: “Recently we discovered that increased sedentary time from childhood contributed 70-percent of the increase in cholesterol level before mid-20s and that engaging in light physical activity can completely reverse elevated cholesterol and dyslipidaemia. Taken together, these findings suggest that being sedentary is at the root of health problems and childhood and adolescent sedentariness is a one-way ticket for cardiovascular diseases and death.”

Are Heart Palpitations Normal?

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Two beautiful Indian ladies who are best friends having a happy time sharing gossips during their vacation on the hillside.

Healthy Heart|June 28, 2018

BY GAGANDEEP KAUR

Is something setting your heart aflutter? Has your heart been skipping a beat one too many times? Well, this might be about a little bit more than a passing crush. While in most scenarios these are happy symptoms of an enraptured heart, sometimes they can be a hint of a troubled one too. These symptoms could also be actual heart palpitations — slight abnormalities in the beating of your heart — in your chest, throat or neck. In plain speak, it’s just your heart demanding some me-time.

Before you become more alarmed, let’s see what causes heart palpitations. These symptoms aren’t always a cause for concern. Usually, fluttering, skipping and pounding are signs of palpitations that can easily be addressed.

What Causes Heart Palpitations

Palpitations occur for many reasons. For example, it’s common to experience a fast or abnormal heartbeat during a critical presentation or a review of your annual performance. Intense emotions, including stress, mental turmoil, anxiety and panic, can all trigger them too.

Adding to this, strenuous physical activity also means your heart has to work harder, and while you may think you need that extra coffee to get going in the morning, excessive intake of stimulants, including caffeine and nicotine, can induce similar symptoms. What’s more, a woman may experience them during hormonal changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

How to Address This

Although heart palpitations are quite normal, they can still be alarming. To avoid needless panic, follow some preventative measures to help keep your heart beating steadily:

  1. Relax!Excitement of any kind, including stress or anxiety, increases your adrenaline, which makes your heart beat more quickly. Relaxing is easier said than done, but nevertheless, turn to techniques, such as yoga, meditation and Tai Chi, to prevent stress and put your heart at ease. Listening to music or doing something creative, such as journaling or painting, can also positively affect stress levels as can breathing exercises. Sleep is an important factor for overall health too, so ensure a full eight hours each night to relax your body and help limit anxiety.
  2. Reduce Your Stimulant IntakeStimulants, such as nicotine and caffeinated beverages, tea and coffee can make your heart flutter. Control your consumption to keep your heartbeats steady.
  3. Monitor Your Blood PressureHigh temperatures coupled with bad eating habits can cause rapid heartbeats. This is especially true in tropical countries. Make sure you eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water at regular intervals. This helps ward off low blood pressure, which also causes palpitations.
  4. Use the Valsalva Manoeuvre
    The vagus nerve is one of the nerves responsible for controlling your heart rate. This important nerve passes through your neck and thorax to your abdomen and has an extensive distribution throughout your body. Stimulation of the vagus nerve with the Valsalva manoeuvre can help control heart palpitations. The Valsalva manoeuvre is a procedure in which you hold your nose, close your mouth and try to breathe out, forcibly. This action stimulates the vagus nerve to help stop palpitations and restore your healthy heartbeat. Though it is recommended that this manoeuvre not be performed without sufficient training or professional supervision. Ask for your physician for guidance.

When to See a Doctor

There are a few situations, however, where the palpitations might be more than just a minor skipping of the beat. When these are accompanied by symptoms, such as the fullness in your chest or throat, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating or fainting, they may be more serious. Consult your doctor in such cases and even more so if you have an existing medical problem e.g. thyroid, diabetes etc.

In the absence of these symptoms, allow yourself the excitement and say ‘yes’ to everything else that makes your heart skip a beat!

Latest technological innovations can detect arrhythmias with more precision, & effectively manage the condition

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Tech That Keeps Your Heart & Doctor Always Connected

Irregularities in the heart’s rhythm is known as Arrhythmia; a disorder that is caused due to the irregular beating of the heart. Often it happens in ‘episodes’, is very subtle in its presentation with symptoms that are fairly generic, thus making diagnosis extremely tricky.  A visit to the doctor post-episode might not reveal much and an untimely a repeat episode could pose a great risk. Fortunately, advancements in health technology have made timely diagnosis, effective treatment and management of this disorder, a possibility.

All about Arrhythmia – Types, Causes & Symptoms

When the heart beats too slowly it is called bradycardia and when it beats too fast, it is called tachycardia. More than 100 beats per minute characterise tachycardia, and less than 60 beats per minute characterise bradycardia.

 Deviations from the normal range can be caused by changes in the heart tissue, exertion, stress, imbalances in the blood such as an excess of thyroid hormone, dehydration, low blood sugar, or certain medicines, amongst other things

 Changes in the heart tissues can also affect its normal rhythm and the reason for these changes is usually an underlying disease, injury, or genetics.

Sometimes, heart arrhythmia symptoms are silent. But, the most likely arrhythmia symptoms are

  1. Palpitations, or flip-flops, a feeling of the heart running fast
  2. Pounding feeling in the chest
  3. Dizziness or light-headedness
  4. Fainting
  5. Fogginess
  6. Excessive sweating
  7. Weakness or fatigue

Arrhythmia is diagnosed mainly via an ECG test, where your doctor will closely monitor how fast your heart is beating, and whether it is steady or irregular. However, there are instances where intermittent arrhythmias may be difficult to diagnose, let alone get treated. 

Related Article

Remote-Monitoring to detect and treat Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia, if left undiagnosed, can lead to severe complications for the patients, which can turn fatal. The good news is that we now have technologies and treatments that are robust tools for patients and doctors.

One such technology is the smartphone-compatible, insertable cardiac monitor . This technology helps doctors detect/identify even the most complex cardiac arrhythmias, remotely. The bluetooth-enabled medical device is implanted into the patient’s chest through a minimally invasive procedure. The device is no larger than two paper clips and transfers real time information onto the associated application. The patient as well as the doctor both have access to this application where all the data is stored.

How does this device help? It helps diagnose infrequent and potentially severe cardiac arrhythmias and puts the patient on a proper arrhythmia treatment and medical intervention when required.

Tech that Keeps your heart & Doctor always connected

Get back to your life.

Better doctor-patient interaction is now becoming a reality with technologies such as the insertable cardiac monitor. Technologies enabling such access and connection bring a sense of relief for patients; knowing that their doctor is able to constantly monitor and access their medical data, even in the absence of in-person visits. Often the fear and the worry of the unknown, along with the weight of an illness, can cause stress and anxiety. The evolution in technology and treatment have ensured that you can be confident and secure when it comes to your medical management and enjoy peace of mind to reclaim the little moments that fill up a healthy life.

COVID vaccines caused widespread damage to Norwegian children, including anaphylaxis, myocarditis, swollen lymph nodes, appendicitis

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A nationwide, register-based study out of Norway investigated the incidence of 18 adverse events in adolescents following administration of two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

The “vaccines” licensed in Norway were the Comirnaty (BNT162b2, Pfizer-BioNTech) and Spikevax (mRNA-1273, Moderna). These jabs were administered to children ages 12-19 as early as April 2021. The jabs were also administered to “high risk” children prior to April, but these children were excluded from the study. Nearly 500,000 children were included in the study.

Healthy Norwegian children suffer from Pfizer and Moderna’s failed COVID vaccine program

According to the study, these needless, fraudulent vaccines caused widespread damage to healthy adolescents. The most noteworthy adverse reactions were anaphylaxis, myocarditis, pericarditis, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) and appendicitis.

In a separate sub-analyses, researchers found that the COVID vaccines also caused an increase in epilepsy and convulsions in children. The vaccine damage was more widespread after the second dose, suggesting that cumulative toxicity may occur from one dose to the next.

The study excluded children who suffered from any of these health problems within four years prior to the COVID vaccine. This means that vaccine damage to unhealthy children was not even recorded in the study. Vaccine damage could be more widespread than what was recorded in this study, and the COVID jabs may have made unhealthy children worse off than before. Another limitation of the study was the omission of all children who were given three doses of the vaccine or children who received a non-mRNA vaccine. Also, any children who died during the study period were not included in the analysis.

Anaphylaxis TEN times higher in vaccinated children

The researchers used a self-controlled case series (SCCS) analysis and a model known as Poisson regression to look for increases in adverse events between the vaccinated and unvaccinated children. The unvaccinated children were used as a reference point in the study.

The researchers found that children inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine were FIVE times more likely to suffer from an anaphylactic reaction (severe allergic shock). The risk increased to nearly TEN times after a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The risk window for anaphylactic shock is only two days after administration of the vaccine. This is a medical standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The risk of anaphylactic shock in children could be even higher if the risk window was expanded to 14 days after vaccination. With mRNA vaccines, the spike protein may not dissolve immediately; it may replicate and accumulate in distal organs (including the heart) several weeks after vaccination. This may cause other adverse reactions long after WHO’s standard two-day risk window.

Myocarditis SEVEN times higher in vaccinated children

The risk window for lymphadenopathy was 14 days after vaccination. Vaccinated children were 2.5 times more likely to suffer with swollen lymph nodes within this time period. This is an indicator of future cancer risk. Most shocking: vaccinated children were SEVEN times more likely to suffer myocarditis and/or pericarditis within the 28-day risk window after the second dose of the COVID vaccine. This is child abuse and medical malpractice, constituting crimes against children on a global scale.

In a supplementary analysis, the researchers found an increased risk of acute appendicitis following both the first and second dose of the COVID vaccine. There was also a pronounced increase in facial nerve palsy following the vaccine. Further sub-analyses found an increased risk of epilepsy and convulsions among 18- and 19-year-olds within the 28-day risk window of the second dose.

“Knowledge of potential post-vaccination adverse events is crucial to weigh benefits against risks, and for future vaccine recommendations,” wrote German Tapia, with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. “The number of observed outcomes and statistically significant associations were generally low in this study, with some exceptions which should be further monitored.”

COVID-19 vaccines caused DECLINE in life expectancy in the U.S.

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Life expectancy across the U.S. has declined, and this drop coincides with the introduction of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.

According to Elizabeth Arias, a researcher for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the U.S. life expectancy. “[It will take] some time before we’re back where we were in 2019,” she said.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that according to CDC numbers, life expectancy for the entire U.S. was 77 years in 2020. However, this dropped to 76.4 years by 2021 – in time for the introduction of the COVID-19 injections that year.

Heart disease was the leading cause of death in the U.S. for 2021, and this is also linked to the COVID-19 injections. It can be noted that many of the most widely reported side-effects from COVID-19 injections have been related to the cardiovascular system. Countless people have suffered from either a heart attack or a stroke after being injected. (Related: New “smoking gun” analysis shows dramatic excess mortality rise linked to COVID-19 vaccines.)

One study by the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California found that heart attack deaths climbed for all age groups during 2020 and 2021. But the biggest jump in heart attack deaths was seen in the group aged 25 to 44 at 29 percent.

COVID-19 injections shorten men’s lives by 24 years

The CDC’s own data also disclosed the true dangers of the vaccines. According to the Daily Expose, men injected with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines could see as much as 24 years taken off their lifespan as a result.

The public health agency’s all-cause mortality data shows that each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine a person got raised their mortality rate by seven percent in 2022, compared to 2021. In other words, people injected with five doses were 35 percent more likely to die in 2022 than in 2021.

The Expose compared the COVID-19 vaccines to “slow-acting genetic poison” based on this data, given the fact that people do not appear to be recovering from the damage caused by earlier vaccines when it comes to excess mortality. It ultimately warned that a person injected with five doses would be 350 percent more likely to pass away in 2031, and a shocking 700 percent more likely to die in 2041 than an unvaccinated person.

Dr. Robert Califf, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), acknowledged this reduced life expectancy. “We are facing extraordinary headwinds in our public health with a major decline in life expectancy,” he wrote on X. “The major decline [of life expectancy] in the U.S. is not just a trend; I’d describe it as catastrophic.”

Not surprisingly, Califf stopped short of pinning the blame on the COVID-19 vaccines. Many of those who dare to suggest that the injections are responsible for excess deaths find themselves being censored.

In one instance, whistleblower Barry Young from New Zealand shared data from the country’s health agency that pointed to a strong link between the COVID-19 injections and excess mortality. According to the data he shared, the vaccines killed more than 10 million around the world.

But this revelation came with a steep price, as Young was arrested and now faces prison time. Nevertheless, the whistleblower said he shared the data as it blew his mind. He also wanted experts to analyze it and make people aware of what is happening.

Exercise ECGs Highly Specific for Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction

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Reconsidering the humble testing modality’s false-positive issue

A photo of a mature woman riding an exercise bicycle while connected to leads during a cardiac stress test.

Exercise electrocardiographic (ECG) stress tests appeared to reliably indicate that some patients with angina with nonobstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA) actually had coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), preliminary evidence showed.

A standard Bruce-protocol exercise test showed 100% specificity for CMD, verified against invasive coronary assessment as reference, with all patients showing ischemic ECG changes during the exercise test also having confirmed CMD. Using endothelium-independent and endothelium-dependent CMD as the reference standard, the false-positive rate of the exercise tests was 0% in a small cohort, reported Haseeb Rahman, PhD, BMBCh, of St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, and colleagues.

Therefore, with these basic exercise tests, patients with ANOCA could be provided with an explanation for their symptoms and a mechanism for myocardial ischemia in the absence of obstructive disease.

“In patients with ANOCA, ischemia on EST [exercise ECG stress testing] was highly specific of an underlying ischemic substrate. These findings challenge the traditional belief that EST has a high false-positive rate,” Rahman’s group concluded in the Journal of the American College of Cardiologyopens in a new tab or window.

A simple noninvasive testing modality, exercise ECG stress testing has fallen out of favor in recent years due to frequent false positives when used for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) as validated against visual diameter stenosis on coronary angiography.

“However, we now know that myocardial ischemia can, and indeed in nearly one-third of cases does, occur in the absence of obstructive CAD due to CMD. Therefore, it is conceivable that historical false-positive EST results were due not to the poor specificity of EST as a diagnostic test but rather to the limitations of obstructive CAD as a reference standard for myocardial ischemia,” the study authors explained.

“Our results show that a positive result on EST is highly specific for (and suggestive of) the presence of an ischemic substrate, but as this does not distinguish the relative contributions of the epicardial and microvascular compartments, EST will always have to be combined with a test that specifically evaluates the epicardial coronary arteries, namely, invasive or noninvasive coronary angiography,” they added.

The London group suggested keeping coronary CT angiography as the first-line assessment for patients presenting with chest pain that might be consistent with inducible ischemia. The exercise ECG would be a second-line test “to expedite the diagnosis of CMD in a large proportion of patients and streamline the use of (less widely available and more costly) tests, such as invasive physiology and/or stress perfusion cardiac [MRI].”

Whether this strategy works would need further testing, the researchers acknowledged.

“This proposed approach requires further studies to assess its utility in clinical practice, as ANOCA may also arise from epicardial coronary artery spasm, which was not addressed in the present study,” wrote a trio led by John Beltrame, BMBS, PhD, of the University of Adelaide in Australia, in an accompanying editorialopens in a new tab or window.

“As with any diagnostic investigation, the clinician must address the purpose for undertaking an investigation in each patient. If the clinical question is to identify the presence of obstructive CAD, then clearly CT coronary angiography is the optimal noninvasive technique,” the group wrote. “In contrast, the EST is not designed to assess coronary artery anatomy but is a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive technique to detect the presence of myocardial ischemia in appropriate patients.”

In this study, Rahman’s team made the case for exercise testing with a cohort of consecutive patients presenting with angina who were referred for further assessment. There were 262 individuals with stable angina screened for eligibility, of whom 160 made it to coronary angiography with physiological assessment and 102 who were ultimately included in the final analysis. Inclusion criteria included ANOCA (fractional flow reserve >0.80) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (>50%). The final cohort had a mean age of 60 years, and 65% were women.

Participants underwent exercise stress tests a median 29 days after invasive coronary angiography with physiological assessment using adenosine and acetylcholine.

All 32 patients who developed ischemia during testing had CMD, while their 70 nonischemic peers had CMD in 66% of cases (P<0.001).

The ischemic group tended to have lower acetylcholine flow reserve (AChFR), indicating endothelium-dependent microvascular dysfunction. AChFR ≤1.5 — not coronary flow reserve — was the strongest predictor of ischemic ECG changes during exercise.

“This reiterates the physiological relevance of acetylcholine testing in the evaluation of patients with ANOCA … [AChFR] is likely to be a better surrogate for the physiological flow-mediated vasodilatation that occurs during exercise, as it assesses the functionality of both the endothelial and vascular smooth muscle pathways,” Rahman and colleagues stressed.

They nevertheless acknowledged that their observations were based on a single-center study with a relatively small sample size, and may not apply to patients without angina symptoms.