Thread: Heart Talk

Q: After a heart attack I was told to take aspirin daily to prevent
blood clots. I read that red wine could do just as well as aspirin, so
I switched to red wine. I was also put on Lipitor for my
cholesterol. I tried to replace that with the herb Arjuna, but my
cholesterol went back up. Now I've switched to cod liver oil and
am back on Lipitor. I really want to use only natural remedies but
I'm confused about which ones. Do you have any suggestions?

JVW: One of the basic principles of natural medicine is that
different remedies work for different people. But fortunately nature
provides numerous options for most conditions. There are some
additional natural solutions you may want to try -- working closely
with a physician knowledgeable in natural medicine, of course. If
your current doctor won't help you with the natural approach,
contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine (800-
532-3688, 949-583-7666, http://www.acam.org) to find a nutritionally
oriented physician who will work with you.

First there's cod liver oil (along with vitamin E). Also, you may
want to think about trying policosanol for its anti-clotting and
cholesterol lowering effects. In a comparative trial using healthy
volunteers, 20 milligrams of policosanol daily was just as effective
for preventing blood clots as 100 milligrams of aspirin. Policosanol
offers these benefits without the corresponding risk to your
gastrointestinal system that comes with daily aspirin use.


Also, don't forget to look closely at your diet. Whether you are
taking pharmaceutical medication or natural remedies, they must
be supported by a smart diet that takes your particular health needs
into account.

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What is...C-Reactive protein?

C-Reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver and is another
indicator of heart disease. An elevated level of this protein in the
blood indicates the presence of acute inflammation in the body. Of
course, just like the other heart-health factors (blood pressure,
cholesterol, etc.) CRP isn't a reliable indicator of heart disease all
by itself. There are many illnesses and conditions that can raise
your levels of CRP, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, not to
mention the common cold. However, it can be a helpful measure
when looked at in conjunction with other tests, such as a
cholesterol panel that includes HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels,
homocysteine levels, and stress test to see where you are on a
continuum of risk for heart disease and to make treatment
suggestions that will be effective for you.