by Danielle Smith, Keystone State News Connection
October is Health Literacy Month and a medical professional is educating Pennsylvanians about heart inflammation, a condition which can lead to serious cardiac events if left untreated.
In 2021, the age-adjusted death rate of heart disease was 180 per 100,000 Pennsylvania residents.
Dr. Philip Nimoityn, clinical assistant professor of medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia, said recent medical research has uncovered new preventive measures and treatments for heart attacks, the leading cause of death in the U.S. He added within the past year, a new drug has become available to directly target inflammation in the heart and can significantly decrease risk.
“This drug, which is low-dose Colchicine, which is marketed under the name of Lodoco, has been shown in individuals with either coronary artery disease or multiple risk factors for coronary artery disease to be able to decrease heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death,” Nimoityn outlined.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three primary risk factors for heart disease are hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and smoking, with nearly half of Americans having at least one of the conditions.
Nimoityn emphasized the importance of maintaining heart health, including avoiding gut problems through a healthy diet. He added gut microbiome, a population of microorganisms, live in your gut.
“It’s estimated there are 10 trillion organisms in your gut, and they produce 10% of your body’s chemicals, which are called metabolites,” Nimoityn explained. “The type of bacteria that grow are influenced by what you eat. So, for instance, if you were to eat beef, that would increase the growth of bacteria which release inflammatory metabolites.”
He added the new treatment has seen a substantial 31% increase in the demand for coronary revascularization procedures, such as stenting and bypass surgery. He recommended Pennsylvania start screening for heart disease early in life, especially if you have a family history.
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Source: bctv