11/Jul/2009
Do You Know Your Risk For Heart Attack Or Stroke?
By Bivonia Olivier
Cardiovascular Institute of the South
For many people, the first sign that they have cardiovascular disease is a heart attack or stroke. Knowing your risk can help you take steps to prevent heart attacks and strokes before they occur. The key is a simple blood test called the PLAC test.
Most people know the traditional risk factors used to identify and prevent cardiovascular disease: increased age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity. However, traditional risk factors sometimes fail to identify people who are at risk. The fact is that many people have hidden risk factors that are not as evident.
In fact, half of the people who have a heart attack or stroke have low-to-moderate cholesterol levels. Also, about 20 percent of heart attacks and strokes occur in people with none of the major risk factors. That is why there is a critical need to test for these hidden risk factors to identify all patients at risk of heart attack or stroke.
Cardiovascular Risk
The PLAC test helps identify patients with “hidden” cardiovascular risk due to the formation of rupture-prone plaque. This test is a cutting-edge way to measure an enzyme in the bloodstream that determines how much life-threatening plaque has formed in the arteries, even in people who otherwise seem healthy.
Arteries are unlikely to hurt when they are inflamed, so patients may have problems and not be aware of them. This test is designed to help in the prevention of stroke or heart attack and, when coupled with a Calcium Score, the PLAC test provides a comprehensive assessment of a person’s risk for heart attack or stroke.
Most people think heart attacks occur because of clogged arteries or plaque buildup (called stenosis). However, about 68 percent of all cardiovascular events are caused by plaque rupture and artery or vein blockage by blood clots (thrombosis). This is why the PLAC test is so important. It identifies the potential rupture of plaque and gives the doctor a better understanding of what is happening in your arteries. Also, it is the only blood test cleared by the Federal Drug Administration that aids in assessing the risk of both coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke. A shocking 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic, meaning that arteries in the brain develop clots because they are too narrow.
Increasing Age
Talk to your family physician about your risk factors and ask about the PLAC test. Some risk factors cannot be changed, such as increasing age, family history and gender. However, several can be addressed with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet, as well as medication.
There is no preparation or fasting required for the PLAC test since it is a simple blood draw. Anyone interested in the PLAC test may visit www.plactest.com.
Another way to make sure your heart stays healthy is to exercise daily and follow these diet tips (www.mayoclinic.com):
If you have concerns about your heart health, please consult your doctor. For more information about heart health call Cardiovascular Institute of the South at 1-800-425-2565 or visit www.cardio.com.
By Bivonia Olivier
Cardiovascular Institute of the South
For many people, the first sign that they have cardiovascular disease is a heart attack or stroke. Knowing your risk can help you take steps to prevent heart attacks and strokes before they occur. The key is a simple blood test called the PLAC test.
Most people know the traditional risk factors used to identify and prevent cardiovascular disease: increased age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity. However, traditional risk factors sometimes fail to identify people who are at risk. The fact is that many people have hidden risk factors that are not as evident.
In fact, half of the people who have a heart attack or stroke have low-to-moderate cholesterol levels. Also, about 20 percent of heart attacks and strokes occur in people with none of the major risk factors. That is why there is a critical need to test for these hidden risk factors to identify all patients at risk of heart attack or stroke.
Cardiovascular Risk
The PLAC test helps identify patients with “hidden” cardiovascular risk due to the formation of rupture-prone plaque. This test is a cutting-edge way to measure an enzyme in the bloodstream that determines how much life-threatening plaque has formed in the arteries, even in people who otherwise seem healthy.
Arteries are unlikely to hurt when they are inflamed, so patients may have problems and not be aware of them. This test is designed to help in the prevention of stroke or heart attack and, when coupled with a Calcium Score, the PLAC test provides a comprehensive assessment of a person’s risk for heart attack or stroke.
Most people think heart attacks occur because of clogged arteries or plaque buildup (called stenosis). However, about 68 percent of all cardiovascular events are caused by plaque rupture and artery or vein blockage by blood clots (thrombosis). This is why the PLAC test is so important. It identifies the potential rupture of plaque and gives the doctor a better understanding of what is happening in your arteries. Also, it is the only blood test cleared by the Federal Drug Administration that aids in assessing the risk of both coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke. A shocking 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic, meaning that arteries in the brain develop clots because they are too narrow.
Increasing Age
Talk to your family physician about your risk factors and ask about the PLAC test. Some risk factors cannot be changed, such as increasing age, family history and gender. However, several can be addressed with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet, as well as medication.
There is no preparation or fasting required for the PLAC test since it is a simple blood draw. Anyone interested in the PLAC test may visit www.plactest.com.
Another way to make sure your heart stays healthy is to exercise daily and follow these diet tips (www.mayoclinic.com):
- Limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol.
- Choose low-fat protein sources.
- Eat more vegetables and fruits.
- Select whole grains.
- Reduce the salt in your food.
- Practice moderation.
- Plan ahead by creating daily menus.
If you have concerns about your heart health, please consult your doctor. For more information about heart health call Cardiovascular Institute of the South at 1-800-425-2565 or visit www.cardio.com.
