Your Arteries-An Owner's Manual

How to prevent a heart attack or stroke? Start with an artery screening test. A heart attack or stroke can often be prevented. That's because artery clogging that leads to a heart attack or stroke develops slowly, over time. Anyone who detects artery clogging at an early stage can slow or stop its progression by lowering the level of "bad" LDL cholesterol in the blood, whether through healthy lifestyle choices, a statin prescription, or both. Five heart doctors (cardiologists) have recommended that doctors check their patients for artery clogging, but so far, very few do. Fortunately, anyone can obtain a safe and simple test to detect artery-clogging at an early stage, without a doctor's order. Artery screening can show if you are one of the many adults who have early-stage artery clogging that causes no symptoms. One study found that more than one-third of middle-aged adults who were otherwise healthy had early-stage artery clogging. Most of those studied were in their mid-40s. If you get your arteries screened and the test shows you have artery clogging, you can work with your doctor to reduce your LDL level through healthy lifestyle choices and/or statin therapy, potentially adding healthy years to your life. You can even target an LDL level that is best for you. This book-based on 40 medical journal articles-provides all the information you need to work with your doctor to preserve the health of your arteries, for a healthier life. Read the book for yourself, or for your loved ones. WILLIAM DRISCOLL is a journalist who was fortunate to learn that his arteries were getting clogged, so he could work with his doctor to protect his health. He wrote this book so others could have the same opportunity.