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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are lifestyle changes I should undergo if I have arteriosclerosis?

    Related Topics
    Arteriosclerosis Cardiology & Vascular Health
    I am a 59 year old father with arteriosclerosis. I am obese, probably do not have the healthiest diet and seldom exercise. Please help modify my lifestyle habits to prevent further damage.
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    Dr Timothy Shakespeare

    Chiropractor

    Chiropractor at Healing Wave Chiropractic Warners Bay, NSW 2282Executive Board Member of the Chiropractors Association of Australia“Your body has the Innate ability to self heal … View Profile

    Sometimes you need to get fit to get fit.
    If exercise is difficult ensure the spine and pelvic joints are functioning correctly which will also allow porper nerve supply to the rest of the body.
    Then start with gentle exercise and increase intensity gradually.
    All or nothing is not sustainable.

    Add foods high in B6 and B12 as well as folate to your diet.
    Add a high quality Omega 3 Fish oil suppliment to reduce inflammation in the vessel walls.
    Cholesterol drugs (statins) show a slight improvement due to their anti-inflammatory propertes not because of their effect on Cholesterol.

    Yours in Health,

    Tim

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    Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    I disagree with what Timothy wrote about statins.
     
    They are not  anti-inflammatory. Rather, they block the action of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is responsible for a step in the production of cholesterol.
     
    High blood levels of cholesterol are a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
     
    I suggest that you get your blood cholesterol level checked by your GP. If it is high then statin medication may be indicated.
     
    There is a general account of how statins work here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statin .
     
    There is an evaluation of how effective statins are here: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD004816/statins-for-the-primary-prevention-of-cardiovascular-disease.
     
    The Cochrane Collaboration is a not-for-profit entity which assesses the merits of clinical trials - the study in the link above looked at 18 clinical trials with 56934 subjects and concluded that there is good evidence that statins can reduce the risk of CVD in people with high cholesterol.

    I suggest that you discuss these issues with your GP (or another evidence-based health professional whose knowledge includes evidence-based understanding of the causes of CVD).

    Think about what you have learned from those discussions (if you don't understand something, ask questions) and then make a decision.

    As far as changes to your diet are concerned, an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) would be a good person to talk with - you can find one here: http://daa.asn.au/for-the-public/find-an-apd/.

    APD is a legally-protected term: only evidence-based health professionals who have completed relevant training can use that job description.

    All the best.

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    John Stevens

    Exercise Physiologist

    John is an exercise physiologist and owner of Kinetic Medicine, an Exercise Physiology practice with 5 clinics on the NSW Mid North Coast. John is … View Profile

    Exercise is an essential component in managing cardiovascular disease of which atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis are both components. Seeking out the guidance of an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP) may be of great assistance in the provision of safe, appropriate exercise that can translate the best and latest scientific evidence into an exercise program tailored to your needs. Exercise physiologists are university educated allied health professionals who are required to undergo substantial clinical experience before they can begin independent practice. An AEP in partnership with your dietitian and GP, as well as any other health professionals you might engage, can ensure that your entire well being is best managed with the minimal amount of risk of adverse effects,

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