You get everything right.
LDL cholesterol
Is below 50. Upon checking your LP (a), it is quite low. You follow an excellent diet, and your alcohol intake is nearly non-existent. You adhere strictly to your medication regimen. Based on this information, the data suggests that you have substantial protection against experiencing another heart attack!
Yet there you are, on a Shabbat afternoon riding in the rear of an ambulance experiencing severe chest discomfort as they rush you to the hospital. After about two hours, you find yourself in the cardiac catheterization laboratory receiving two urgent stent placements. At last, some relief!
Indeed, something similar occurred to me just two weeks prior to the Passover holiday. So now what? Could this be my fate? Are there additional steps I might take within my daily routine to avoid another occurrence?
To start with, I’m feeling great. In fact, I believe I’ve never been this good in quite a while. I’ve resumed regular workouts, and apart from needing to regain my stamina, I’m capable of doing almost anything required.
The two mindsets when someone transitions from being healthy to falling ill
I’ve encountered two completely opposite viewpoints from people. The first opinion, which I believe is accurate, goes something like this: “It’s great that you look after yourself as you do since this situation could have turned out far worse.” Then there’s the contrasting viewpoint, which I strongly disagree with, stated as follows: “Look, all your efforts—why bother eating well and sticking to rules when you can simply indulge in anything you desire? Since all these precautions did not prevent this!”
I can see where people might be coming from with that statement, but it stems from not fully grasping what occurs during an acute situation.
heart
Attack or suffer from heart disease. Ultimately, the harm I endured turned out to be fairly minor. Several factors contributed to how things unfolded this way.
I was quite annoyed and distressed about what occurred. After all this effort to get “صند
heart-attack
“evidence” and now this? Less than 24 hours since my event started, I had begun raising questions. This involved a seasoned veteran who is widely recognized.
cardiologist
saw me during rounds the next day after my stent procedure.
I directly questioned him about how this could occur, even though his LDL and Lp(a) levels were both quite low. He mentioned that several other elements come into play, including genetic factors. My heredity isn’t favorable when it comes to heart health—both my dad and grandpa dealt with cardiac issues and heart attacks. However, studies indicate that our way of life has a much more significant impact than our genes do.
Later, I talked with a buddy of mine who happens to be a cardiologist in the U.S. His “Food as Therapy” initiative assists more than 300 individuals. He excels at aiding these people in recovering and often enables several participants to discontinue their medication use. During our conversation, he seemed quite astonished. In fact, he called back himself and questioned me extensively about various topics.
Next, a professor arrived accompanied by his cardiology students. I seized the chance to inquire of him as well.
Out of all the responses I received, his stood out as the finest. He conveyed that we are aware of our knowledge, yet we must also recognize our ignorance.
To be completely frank, I sank into a state of dejection. However, as the saying goes, timing can make all the difference. Just last month, a research paper was unveiled and showcased at an important cardiology conference. Discovering this report was quite uplifting (intentional pun included). Even though logically you might know you’re not squandering your efforts, it’s incredibly reassuring to witness such progress within scientific circles.
In the research showcased at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session, individuals suffering from cardiometabolic conditions—like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease—might improve their odds of longevity by embracing a nutritious plant-based regimen. The findings specifically pertain to those whose illnesses are well-established.
Higher compliance with a nutritious plant-based diet showed significant association with reduced risks of overall, heart-related, and cancer deaths among people suffering from cardiometabolic conditions,” stated Dr. Zhangling Chen, who holds an MD and PhD and works within the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Second Xiangya Hospital affiliated with Central South University located in Changsha, China; she led this research effort. “Increasing consumption of beneficial plants, reducing intake of detrimental ones, as well as cutting down on animal products—all play crucial roles.
To what extent can this impact be observed? As stated in the research paper: “Generally, greater compliance with a nutritious plant-based diet correlated with a 17% to 24% reduced likelihood of mortality due to all causes, heart-related diseases, or cancers. Conversely, stricter adherence to an unhealthy plant-based diet led to a 28% to 36% heightened risk of such mortalities.”
This is highly important. A meta-analysis from 2022 featured in JAMA-Internal Medicine indicated that statin medications lowered overall death rates by 9% (as measured by relative risk). However, this suggests that adhering to an appropriate nutritional shift can be more beneficial than simply using a statin. It’s crucial, especially for those with a history of cardiovascular incidents, to continue their use of statins when advised. Nonetheless, it highlights how essential it is—even for individuals suffering from heart issues—to sustain a balanced, wholesome vegetarian diet.
It’s simple to throw in the towel, yet every little bit counts.
It’s simple to claim it’s all genetics; it’s easy to throw in the towel. However, every little bit counts. In my situation, those small differences were significant enough for me to survive and enjoy a good quality of life. Indeed, heart disease is approximately 90% avoidable, and many individuals can stop the condition in its early stages or even turn it around. Yet, there remains that remaining 10%.
Heart disease has numerous contributing elements. Diet stands out as crucial; however, as Dr. Dean Ornish—who demonstrated that reversing coronary artery disease was possible and highlighted this in his work ‘Undo It!’—points out, several additional aspects can be altered to improve our well-being. Is adequate rest part of our routine? What role does alcohol consumption or other substances play? Are we managing stress effectively? Which relaxation methods do we employ? And how healthy are our relationships? All these components matter, hence genetic predisposition isn’t solely responsible.
For my part, I’ll find ways to improve; there’s absolutely no reason to quit. I won’t return to eating burgers, fries, pizza, and sugary desserts like those I consumed 20 years ago. Instead, my diet will include more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. My preferred drinks remain water, green tea, and an occasional cup of black coffee.
Many individuals deserve gratitude, including the paramedics, emergency room doctors and nurses, as well as those in the ward who inserted the stents. Above all, I owe my thanks to the Higher Power who once again intervened to save me.
Simply understand that despite having some less advantageous genetic factors, I also possess several beneficial ones. Both of my near kin who suffer from heart disease are quite elderly; one is 96 years old, and the other is 93. This means I have ample incentive to closely monitor what impacts my well-being—and you should do the same for yours. For all my clients, as well as for myself, I apply the tenets of lifestyle medicine, and you ought to adopt them as well, ensuring we collectively “extend our time in life and enrich our life with more quality moments.”
The author serves as both a wellness coach and personal trainer, boasting over two decades of professional expertise. They hold membership within the International Council of the True Health Initiative, sit on the board for Kosher Plant-Based, and leads The Wellness Clinic. alan@alanfitness.com
