Discussing Medicines For Heart Disease

Medicines for heart disease have become very popular in recent years and there is some confusion even among medical professionals as for what point in the heart disease process they should be implemented. For example, I know a husband and wife team of doctors who are on totally different planets when it comes to medicines for heart disease. The husband is open minded to natural health ideas and will push for lifestyle modification, along with diet changes in an attempt to avoid prescribing these drugs. On the other hand his wife will immediately prescribe medicines for heart disease and suggest that diet and/or lifestyle be altered somewhat.

I feel sure that the push and pull concerning medicines for heart disease goes on all the time in medical circles and for this reason it is important that you find a doctor that shares your ideology. Next let’s look at some the most often prescribed medicines for heart disease.

High levels of low density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the blood are known to increase the changes or arterial disease, heart attack, and stroke. Drugs to reduce these molecules are currently the most widely prescribed medications for heart disease. For most doctors statin medications (HMG CoA reductase inhibitors) stand alone atop this list. Statins work by interfering with the manufacture of cholesterol in the body, blocking an enzyme called HMG CoA reductase that is needed by the body to produce cholesterol. Less cholesterol in the body causes the liver to remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, thus lowering the risk of clogged arteries and blood vessels. Examples of statins would be atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin.

But while statins are very effective, and have been shown to lower bad cholesterol form 25% to 50% they do come with some baggage. First they may lower cholesterol so dramatically that your cells can’t get the cholesterol they need to carry out essential bodily function. If dramatic enough, this can cause cell and muscle death leading up to kidney failure. But generally this dramatic result is only seen once in a while and more common side effects are muscle aches, muscle pain, constipation, and abdominal cramping.

But while statins are generally the first line of defense their are others as well including bile acid sequestrants and high dose prescription niacin. These medications have been proven to reduce the risk for coronary heart disease and are backed by years of research. Both bile acid sequestrants and high dose niacin can produce dangerous side effects in some patients and require both patient education and close monitoring by an individuals doctor.

Are there any natural alternatives?

Certainly your doctor should be consulted before changing your current medication or considering natural alternatives but the answer is yes, there are natural alternatives for heart disease. Just as with medications these run the gambit, in both safety and effectiveness. Nevertheless, they are considered to be much safer than conventional medicines for heart disease, and can be just as effective when combined with just saying no to cigarette smoke, daily exercise, and a low saturated fat, high soluble fiber diet.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of safe and effective high quality alternative health products and natural living, with over 10 years experience in the field. Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at Purchase Remedies.com

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