The Way You Live Determines How Long You Live Welcome to St. Louis Center for Preventive & Longevity Medicine's inaugural newsletter! As your information source for the latest advances in Age Management Medicine, we launch our fist issue with a discussion about cardiovascular risk reduction. Cardiovascular disease, the nation's top killer, often strikes both genders without warning in the prime of life. The resulting death and disability are usually preventable. Amazingly, lifestyle changes can decrease cardiovascular risk by 80%! When the Interheart Study (a recent clinical trial) examined risks for heart disease in 29,000 patients, they isolated eight positive risks and one negative risk for cardiovascular events. Top contenders were 1.) Cigarette smoking; and 2.) The ratio of ApoB (protein that carries offensive components of cholesterol). Interestingly, neither total cholesterol count nor LDL cholesterol ranked among chief predictors. Cigarette smoking and ApoB ratio alone could predict a two thirds possibility for heart attack or stroke. Both of these primary risk factors can be easily reduced. In clinical terms, we'd like to see two particles of ApoA1 per every one particle of ApoB for an ideal ratio of 0.5 or lower. The Interheart Study also revealed hypertension, diabetes, obesity, stress, lack of exercise, and inadequate intake of fruits/vegetables as leading positive risks. Moderate consumption of alcohol was identified as the sole negative risk. What does this mean for you? Consider diet, exercise, stress reduction, and other lifestyle factors as your preventive "baseline" for chronic diseases associated with aging. While medication and supplements are sometimes necessary, they are no substitute for healthy living. The New Face of Aesthetic Medicine The Way You Live Determines How Long You Live Conditions of Use | Privacy Practices | © 2010