The most common cause of death among Americans is coronary artery disease.  Coronary artery disease causes death from myocardial infarction (heart attack) and congestive heart failure.  Closely related to coronary artery disease is stroke, the 5^th most common cause of death among Americans. 

Multiple risk factors contribute to coronary artery disease.  Some of those risk factors can be changed by changing your lifstyle:

Smoking cessation

Weight loss

Improved diet

Exercise

Some of those risk factors can be changed with medication:

Statins (Lipitor, Simvastatin, Pravastatin, Lovastatin) lower total cholesterol

Vytorin - lowers triglycerides

Niacin – lowers triglycerides

Fenofibrate – lowers triglycerides

Omega-3-fatty acid (fish oil) – lowers triglycerides

Blood thinners (aspirin, plavix, coumadin) – prevents clot formation in arteries

Adequate treatment of diabetes

Adequate treatment of hypertension

Some of those risk factors cannot be altered:

            Genetics

            Age

            Gender

All of these factors work together to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Goals:                                                            

            Total cholesterol                             under 200

            HDL (good) cholesterol                    over 40, but over 60 is better

            LDL (bad) cholesterol                      under 130

            Triglycerides                                  under 150

            Hemoglobin A1C                            <6.0

            Weight (if over idea range)              reduce by 5%

            Blood pressure                              <130/<80

            Smoking                                       none

            Exercise                                       one hour daily

            Diet                                              high fiber, low saturated fat, low sodium