Fixing the way to a Man’s Heart

The chances of men dieing from heart related disease’s are on the rise, taking a heavy toll of lives when compared to any other type of disease and often with little indication. Research shows about one in every three men can expect to develop heart disease before age 60. Bad eating habits and no exercise lead to a build up of high cholesterol is a commonly known phenomenon. However, one may seem healthy but may not be.

Fortunately a lot of research is going into trying to find cures and preventions to this silent killer in men. New technological developments are allowing men to get diagnosed sooner and for the better.

A ten minute EBCT scan can detect even the smallest amounts of calcium deposits on artery walls. This helps patients to find out before they are in serious trouble whether they have high blood pressure and cholesterol problems or they have coronary disease.

Another commonly used method is using cardiac fingerprinting. It works on the principle of breaking down the cholesterol into 12 different components including seven LDLs -the so called bad cholesterol; three of these are large and are not very dangerous but four of them are very small. Hence they can prove to be very dangerous as they weasel their way into the artery much faster. With the cardiac fingerprinting patients can be help to frequently make checks on their condition and keep a firmer control on their health.

However, for those who are already suffering with the disease and have chest pain, researchers are studying adult stem cells as a way to help. Cells from a patient's own bone marrow is taken and inject into the heart to form new blood vessels.

Cardiologist Douglas W. Losordo, M.D., of Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine in, Boston, says the treatment looks hopeful. "Several of the patients have actually experienced a significant reduction in their symptoms, so they're having fewer chest pains. Some have actually even stopped having chest pain."

It is said that the new stem cell therapy is performed without the need for surgery and is meant to help the sickest of heart disease patients first.