The Heart of the Matter:  It’s Not What you Think
(or “Why Disinformation is the Greatest Risk Factor of All”)

Cholesterol is bad, perhaps even evil, right?  Wrong!
 
Cholesterol, in fact, is an absolutely essential and beneficial part of every cell in your body.  We literally couldn’t live without it. 
 
Now I know what you’re thinking:  “That can’t be right.  No way!  …  Can it?” 
 
Here’s the deal:  Scientists have known for at least 80 years that there is NO connection — none at all — between your cholesterol level and your risk of heart disease.
 
So now you may be thinking, “So why am I (or my husband, or my mom, or…) taking a “statin” prescription.  You know something?  That’s an extremely good question.  (See box below.)
 
Why?  Because we have been misled and misinformed, that’s why.  It’s that simple.
 
Which leads me to my point.  Our greatest risk for heart disease isn’t cholesterol.  Or diabetes.  Or hypertension.  Or family history.  Or obesity.  Or smoking.   It’s not that these are unimportant.  Not at all.  They’re all very important (except for cholesterol, as just noted).
 
Our greatest risk, the worst of all, is disinformation.
 
Disinformation like this:  The idea that heart disease is mostly a male problem.  The truth is that heart disease is the #1 killer for women and men alike, and that mortality is the same for both sexes.
 
Or this:  For women, breast cancer is more dangerous than heart disease.
In actual fact, 5 times as many women die of heart disease than breast cancer.
 
Or this:  Women experience chest pain the same as men.
That’s just not true.  For women, symptoms are different.  In fact, very few women experience actual chest pain as a warning sign that something dangerous is happening.
 
Or this:  A low-fat, no-cholesterol diet protects against heart disease.
Nothing could be further from the truth!  With the exception of trans-fats (so bad that New York City banned them in 2007) fats are actually an extremely important part of a healthy, heart-friendly diet.
 
My point?  Disinformation is the enemy.  It’s the most dangerous risk factor of all.
 
Why the disinformation?  Don’t get me started.  The answers to that question lie well beyond the scope of this brief article.
 
Back to the point.  What we need, most of all, is the truth.  We simply need to know the truth. 
 
And that means asking questions.  And challenging the status quo.  It means taking charge of your health.  It means understanding that the answer, the real answer to almost every health concern, isn’t a prescription.
 
Granted, it’s now considered “normal” in America to take a prescription medication.  Or two.  Or three.  Or more.
 
But think about it.  Does that make sense?  Wouldn’t it make more sense to figure out WHY something’s not right and then to solve that problem naturally.  Sure, that may take more time.  And more effort.  And some real lifestyle change.  But if it leads to true health, and to really feeling strong and vital, isn’t it worth it?

The number one risk factor?  Disinformation.  Ask questions.

Symptoms in Women

• Instead of chest pain, women experience an intense pressure or squeezing sensation.
• Jaw, neck, shoulder, or arm pain in either arm.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Abdominal pain.
• Nausea.
• Sweating.
• Fatigue.

 
The Truth About Statins

• Statins increase the risk of diabetes (which actually increases the risk of heart disease, Alzheimers, and cancer).
• Statins can cause severe, debilitating PAIN.
• Statins can cause severe, debilitating FATIGUE.
• Still, despite these well-established risks, more than 250 MILLION statin prescriptions are written and filled every year in the US alone.
  • Q:  Does that make sense.
  • A:  No.  (So ask questions.)