Chelation Therapy Fails to Improve Outcome in Heart Disease: The TACT2 Trial
In the TACT2 trial, chelation therapy reduced levels of lead in the blood but did not improve cardiovascular outcomes for adults with diabetes and a prior heart attack.
Add HIIT Exercise Training to the List of Heart Disease Reversal Strategies
Strategies to REVERSE coronary artery disease plaques are sorely needed. Evidence for over 40 years has demonstrated that low-fat plant diets, mind-body practices, and exercise like walking, medication, and some supplements like aged garlic can all contribute to heart plaque reversal. More reversal therapies are needed howevere.
Coronary atheroma volume is a measurement of the amount of plaque thaat can be made by CT scans or invasive ultrasound (IVUS) studies. It is associated with risk of coronary events in coronary artery disease (CAD).
Exercise training is a cornerstone in primary and secondary prevention of CAD, but the effect of exercise on coronary atheromatous plaques is largely unknown.
A new study assessed the effect of 6 months supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on coronary plaque geometry using IVUS in patients with stable CAD following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stents.
STUDY
Sixty patients were randomized to two sessions of weekly supervised HIIT at 85–95% of peak heart rate (n = 30) or to follow contemporary preventive guidelines (control group, n = 30). The patients were having a heart catheterization for stent placement and were brought back for another catheterization and repeat IVUS study at 6 months time.
The study endpoints were change in percent atheroma volume (PAV) and total atheroma volume (TAV) at 6-month follow-up.
The change in average PAV for matched coronary segments from baseline to follow-up showed a significant difference favoring the HIIT group.
There was a significant reduction in the HIIT group (−1.2) while not in the control group (0.2).
TAVnorm was also reduced after HIIT.
STUDY CONCLUSIONS
In patients with established CAD, a regression of atheroma volume was observed in those undergoing 6 months of supervised HIIT compared with patients following contemporary preventive guidelines.
This study indicates that HIIT counteracts atherosclerotic coronary disease progression and reduces atheroma volume in residual coronary atheromatous plaques following PCI with stent measured by invasive IVUS.
The good news is that it is much easier to demonstrate the amount of plaque and the REVERSAL of plaque with coronary CT angiography interpreted with precise AI analysis.
Get moving, consider HIIT if you are healthy enough to engage in it, and discuss advanced cardiac imaging studies with your cardiology team.
We use the non-invasive CT approach frequently at the Kahn Center and demonstrate impressive plaque reversal using all modalities of care.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Why You Must Know Your Lipoprotein(a) Blood Level: A New Statement of the NLA
Data continue to accumulate from large, population-based studies indicating that elevated plasma Lp(a) is an important risk factor for atherosclerotic CVD and calcific aortic valve disease.
Are Viagra and Cialis Anti-Aging Agents? Two New Studies Say Yes
Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalfil) are used for mainly erectile dysfunction but were originally developed as cardiovascular medications. There safety has been proven for years. Two new studies give a suggestion that they may be anti-aging agents to0
Can a Healthy Diet Slow Aging and Reduce Dementia Risk? New Data Says Yes
Adherence to a MIND diet is associated with a lower incidence of dementia and mortality in a new study.
The MIND diet is based on the Mediterranean and DASH diets, and emphasizes plant-based foods, fish and poultry, with little in the way of saturated fats
Can a Seaweed Combination Capsule Help Reverse Atherosclerosis?
The study suggests that rhamnan sulfate from Monostroma nitidum may provide a safe and effective intervention for reducing atherosclerotic plaque, and should be evaluated as an adjunct therapy for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Why Heart Patients Must Have a Home Sleep Study: The Brain and the Heart
Sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea, can affect people of all ages but, as the National Council on Aging notes (link above), it is most prevalent in middle-aged and older adults.