John Arts - Natural health researcher John Arts is a natural health researcher and supplement formulator. If you have questions or would like a free health plan you can contact John on 0800 423 559 or join his newsletter at www.johnarts.co.nz.

Last week we saw that coronary heart disease is caused by plaques forming in your heart arteries blocking blood supply.
Today we list the top five coronary risk factors on data collected in the Physicians Health Study - widely accepted as one of the best long term heart health trials.

The number one risk factor for sudden death from CHD is low levels of the Omega 3 fatty acids in our blood. Cardiologists have created the "Omega 3 Index" which looks at the percentage of Omega 3 fats in the blood. Those with an Omega 3 Index of eight or above have only a 10 per cent risk of CHD - while those with a low index have almost 10 times the risk. Almost everyone can increase Omega 3 by eating oily fish and supplementing with stable fish oil.
Risk factor two is actually the flip-side of Omega 3. This is that those with the highest levels of background inflammation as measured by CRP (C reactive protein) have the highest risk of heart disease. This comes as no surprise as Omega 3 lowers CRP. Additionally, a whole range of potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E and flavanols greatly reduce CRP.
Risk factor three is having a high level of your "good" HDL cholesterol. HDL and LDL are just carriers of cholesterol and "good" HDL cholesterol measures cholesterol returning from your cells to your liver to be recycled.
The next two risk factors are almost a dead heat for fourth equal. Both high levels of LDL cholesterol and high levels of the destructive amino acid homocysteine are risk factors. The evidence seems to suggest that both are more secondary factors. Bad fats, low antioxidants, bad diet, too much weight and not enough exercise - these are the real killers. Of course if on top of this poor Kiwi we add high cholesterol and high homocysteine this is a heart attack waiting to happen. Actually more correctly there is almost certainly already coronary artery disease waiting for a heart attack.
Next week we look at some practical steps for those who have either diagnosed coronary artery disease or have high risk factors and for those on cholesterol lowering medication to prevent or reverse any side effects.

John Arts is a natural health commentator and researcher. If you have questions or would like a free health plan you can contact John at john@johnarts.co.nz or phone 07 578 9051 or 0800 423 559. You can join his newsletter at www.johnarts.co.nz