The scientists conducted experiment on human macrophages and murine macrophages obtained from the blood samples of healthy donors and mice. The scientists incubated these macrophages with a pathogen called Staphlococcus aureus, which is mostly found on the skin and in the upper airways. When the infection developed, the scientists examined the response of macrophages, which were treated with the drug called simvastatin. The scientists discovered that the drug destroyed the treated macrophages and also failed to eliminate the pathogen and cell debris. The research also found that the cells treated with the drug simvastatin manufactured large amounts of cytokines, which are believed to initiate and sustain inflammation.

Statins are lifesaving drugs, and have been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, but the research indicates the drug can be improved further.

The research indicates that simvastatin is soluble in fat, hence it can easily enter the cell membranes and reach out brain. As a result, the nerve cells of brain are covered with a fatty layer, which causes poor sleep.  A large group of people taking simvastain reported poor quality sleep as compared to the group taking pravastain.

The research was conducted on 1,016 healthy men and women above 18, for six months. But at the same time scientists ruled out the possibility that everyone taking simvastatin will have disturbed sleep.

All statins carry a certain risk of muscle damage, but this risk seems to be higher in people taking 80 mg of Zocor. In the Search study, 1% of people taking 80 mg of Zocor experienced muscle damage, as opposed to 0.02% of people taking lower doses of the drug. Rhabdomyolysis occurred in a very small number of patients taking Zocor at the higher dose. Rhabdomyolysis is the sometimes fatal destruction of muscle tissue, often resulting in kidney damage.

Symptoms of muscle damage may include:

• Weakness
• Muscle pain
• Elevated creatinine kinase enzyme, as determined by blood sampling
• Fatigue
• Dark or red urine

All statins carry the risk of muscle damage, and patients taking these drugs should be aware of the above symptoms. Should these symptoms occur, notify your physician immediately.

PreLipid is an all-natural, twice-daily botanical formulation proven to lower cholesterol naturally.

Source: FDA Warns of Zocor Risk to Muscles

Researchers studied almost 399,000 patients seen in 663 hospitals over a four-year period. What they found was surprising: only 38% of those undergoing angiograms were found to have blocked arteries. Those patients who had had non-invasive tests prior to angiogram with a positive finding (such as an abnormal stress test) were moderately more likely to have blockage of their arteries discovered on angiogram. Researchers noted that risk factors for finding blockage on angiogram were the same risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including:

• Being male
• Being of older age
• Being diabetic
• Having elevated cholesterol levels

Given that angiograms are both expensive and invasive, it would seem that more stringent criteria is needed to determine who requires an angiogram and who does not. It may be that the culture of practicing defensive medicine is responsible for the number of angiograms done on people with normal findings. It is important to keep in mind that angiograms themselves are not without risk, including the risk of bleeding, and should be reserved for those who truly need it.

Source: Obstructive Disease Not Found on Most Angiograms

HDL also exerts its protective effects by:

• increasing blood vessel’s ability to expand, or stretch
• reducing the production of harmful chemicals which can damage blood vessels
• repairing existing damage to the walls of blood vessels

Research has shown that the protective effects of HDL are not as evident in people who have diabetes. Researchers compared 10 healthy people with 33 people who had diabetes and who were taking cholesterol-lowering medications and found that the protective benefits of HDL in the diabetic patients were not as effective.

Although this was a very small study, the research shows a possible reason why people with diabetes are also more prone to cardiovascular disease, besides that fact that diabetics often have lifestyle risk factors for heart disease.

Source: Good Cholesterol Not As Protective In People With Type 2 Diabetes

If you have high cholesterol, you are undoubtedly aware that there are many foods that you should avoid. You may be less aware of foods that can help you lower your cholesterol naturally. The following is the short list of powerful cholesterol-fighting foods:

Soy- the American Heart Association has stated that soy does not significantly reduce LDL cholesterol (although it does slightly reduce it); however, soy has less saturated fat than meat does, so it makes sense that incorporating more soy into your diet can help you reduce your cholesterol.

Oatmeal- oatmeal contains water-soluble fiber, which is thought to bind to cholesterol molecules in the bowel and transport it out, allowing less cholesterol to be absorbed into the blood stream. However, instant oatmeal may contain sugar and other less desirable ingredients, so the oatmeal you prepare yourself is likely better for you.

Fish- Fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon, herring and mackerel, contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which have heart-healthy benefits. When using fish as part of a healthy diet, preparation is the key: fish should be broiled or baked, rather than deep-fried or covered in sauces. You should aim for at least two servings a week.

Nuts- Certain nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts and pistachios, are high in fiber, monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, protein and minerals. An ounce per day can be included in your diet to help lower cholesterol. A note of caution: avoid eating large amounts of nuts that are salt-covered; also, nuts are very high in calories.

Pre-Lipid is an all-natural botanical formulation that can be used in conjunction with a healthy diet to lower your cholesterol naturally and safely.

John S. went for his yearly physical and was surprised to find out that his cholesterol was high. The doctor explained to John that high cholesterol was a risk factor for developing heart disease. John is also overweight and has borderline high blood pressure. The doctor counseled John that he needed to address these issues or risk having a heart attack or stroke someday, especially given the fact that his father and one brother had already suffered heart attacks at a relatively young age. John’s doctor wanted John to start taking Lipitor to combat his high cholesterol, but John was reluctant to use drugs and preferred to try natural methods first.

John began exercising and attempting to lose weight by watching his diet more carefully and including healthier food choices. A friend told him about PreLipid, an all-natural plant-based product that he had used successfully to lower his own cholesterol. John was a little skeptical but decided to try it for three months. He asked his doctor, who could think of no reason why John should not try it.

John returned to see his doctor in three months and was ecstatic to discover that not only had his cholesterol dropped 25 points, but his weight was down substantially. John’s doctor was astounded that John had been able to accomplish so much in so little time without the use of drugs. John continued to take PreLipid in combination with a healthy diet and exercise and his cholesterol is now within normal limits.

If you want to learn more about lowering your cholesterol using a proven natural product, please visit http://prelipid.predisease.com/.

Statins are widely prescribed to people with high cholesterol to decrease their risk of heart attack and stroke. However, their use is not without risk. There are several side effects attributed to statins, including:

• Muscle pain
• Liver damage
• Headache
• GI upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
• Rash
• Headache

By far, the most serious side effects of statins are liver damage and muscle pain, which may indicate rhabdomyolysis, a rare but deadly condition which results in muscle cell death and can lead to kidney failure. Persons who are taking statins should report muscle pain to their physician; as well, liver function should be assessed through blood tests periodically to ensure the liver is functioning normally.

People who suffer from migraines are almost twice as likely to suffer a heart attack, but the reason for the connection between the two is not clear, according to a new study appearing this month in Neurology online.

In one of the largest studies on the subject to date, 6,102 people with migraine and 5,243 without were compared; there was a 4.1% incidence of heart attack in the migraine group, versus 1.9% in the control group. In addition, it was discovered that those migraine sufferers who experienced aura were 3 times as likely to have a heart attack. Migraine sufferers were more likely to have risk factors for stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular disease, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.

Researchers concluded that people who suffer migraines are at higher risk for heart attack for unknown reasons, and that these people need to be extra vigilant about controlling what risk factors they can. Controlling weight, cholesterol and blood pressure may be even more important for migraine sufferers than the general population. Migraine sufferers are more often young women, and their physicians should be aware of this link, intervening early to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Source: Migraine Linked to Increased Heart Attack Risk

Heart disease has been thought of as a disease affecting mostly men for so long that changing this perception is difficult. The fact is, heart disease now kills more women than men, but women often experience different symptoms than men and often develop heart disease later in life than do men. The rise in obesity, diabetes and the numbers of women who smoke are thought to be the reason for the changing demographics of heart disease.

Women’s symptoms of a heart attack are often different than the “classic” presentation. Men often experience crushing chest pain; women are more likely to complain of discomfort in an area other than their chest, such as the jaw, the abdomen and the arms. They may also complain of feeling exhausted and short of breath.

Women are also treated differently in hospital, according to some studies. They may be less likely to be put on aspirin therapy and to have their cholesterol as aggressively managed as men do. The good news is that women are surviving heart attacks in greater numbers. This may be a case of closing the barn door after the horse has escaped- women need to understand their personal risk factors for heart disease and seek counseling from their personal physicians on prevention strategies.

Source: Diagnosis dilemma: Women’s heart symptoms differ from men