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War on Cholesterol

Cardiovascular diseases are a public health problem in the world for its high prevalence and because they are one of the leading causes of death.

The current eating habits are altered by the influence of multiple factors such as urbanization, which includes fast lifestyle and various amenities, including, make available a variety of easy to prepare food with little or no nutritional value .

If to this we add another characteristic of the typical pace of life in the big cities, physical inactivity will result in imbalances in the body that initially show no symptoms, but if detected early can be fatal to health, as in the case of increased blood cholesterol.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that the body uses to protect nerves, make cell tissues and produce certain hormones. The liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs but it can come directly from the food you eat, for example eggs, meat and dairy products. Too much cholesterol can have a negative impact on health.

Good Cholesterol

“Despite what you might think, cholesterol is not bad, is a fat and is so important that the liver produces two thirds of what it takes to be part of the body’s cells, produce hormones necessary for life and vitamin D. In this production is called endogenous cholesterol. Opinion expressed by the degree in nutrition Karina Ortiz López, nutritionist Nutrisa center.

Meanwhile, exogenous cholesterol is fat that comes from animal foods such as red meat, chicken skin, whole milk, egg, yellow cheese, seafood such as shrimp and all viscera as tongue and brains.

Risks of having high cholesterol

The excess is stored cholesterol in the arteries, ie the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the body. The accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries known as plaque. This will cause the arteries to narrow and harden which is known as arteriosclerosis. Large deposits of cholesterol can completely block an artery. Cholesterol plaques also may crack causing the formation of a blood clot that blocks blood flow.

If an artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle is blocked, can cause a heart attack. If the artery that supplies blood to the brain is blocked, a stroke can occur also called embolism.
Cardiovascular diseases in the world

In 2009, the World Health Organization released statistics that placed cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the population. On the planet Earth during that year killed more than 17.5 million people by them. This figure is equivalent to half the population of Canada.

Cardiovascular diseases in Mexico

* In Mexico, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. And the prevalence of factors that create them is very high.
* 30% of Mexico’s population is hypertensive which means almost 18 million, the problem is that 60% is unknown.
* 43% of Mexico’s population has high cholesterol.
* 50% of people with hypertension have high cholesterol, almost 9 million.
* In Mexico, 10.7% of the population is diabetic, and the leading cause of death for diabetics is cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Nestor Saucedo, physician assigned to the Cardiology Service Medical Center 20 de Noviembre National ISSSTE, estimated that the immediate treatment of a person to suffer a heart attack or cardiovascular event in the private sector varies between 180 and 350 thousand dollars. The cost of cardiovascular diseases is not only economic, but emotional. It only affects those who suffer, to their family and even society.

Tips for preventing heart disease

* At least once a year, made a measurement of blood cholesterol.
* Practice preferably physical activity and cardiovascular type: walking, running, biking or aerobic exercise.
* Reduce consumption of: red meat 2 times a week, sausages 1 time per week and viscera 1 time per month.
* Moderate consumption of seafood
* Prefer dairy like milk, cheese and nonfat yogurt or light.
* Remove all visible fat from foods of animal origin.
* Increase consumption of fiber from whole grains, vegetables and legumes.
* Prefer foods grilled or steamed instead of fried.
* Avoid excess sugar and salt.
* Avoid cooking with animal or vegetable shortenings.

Quality of life in patients with cholesterol

Today people require treatments that simplify their lives and ensure control, security and efficiency, which are capable of processing the overall cardiovascular risk by taking fewer drugs, avoiding the complications of older patients who already have.

There is a first alternative therapeutic capable of treating hypertension and cholesterol together, two diseases in one tablet, with a long-acting effect of 24hrs, succeeding in reducing the overall risk of the individual and allowing patients to lead a life with less complications, “this new medicine is definitely a good alternative to achieve adherence to therapy,” adds Dr. Nestor Saucedo, physician assigned to the Cardiology Service Medical Center 20 de Noviembre National ISSSTE.

The alternative treatment consists of molecules of two of the world’s leading drugs that are merged into this formula, amlodipine besylate, the most commonly prescribed to control high blood pressure and atorvastatin, a leader in controlling high cholesterol levels in blood. Both have clear evidence of efficacy, safety and tolerability, in addition to having demonstrated decreased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of patients who take them.