Know Your Risk Before It Strikes
Your arteries could be hiding early disease. Find out today.
A simple selfie may reveal more about your heart than you think. Recent research suggests that subtle facial signs and features can indicate early warning signs of coronary artery disease and other heart problems. By paying attention to these clues and taking proactive steps, you can better protect yourself and follow evidence-based strategies to improve heart health.
For decades, cholesterol was demonized as the No. 1 threat to heart, brain and arterial health. Then a growing body of evidence began to zero in on another villain. “The four horsemen of the medical apocalypse coronary artery disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s may be riding the same steed: inflammation,” a Harvard paper theorized in 2006. Since then, recent landmark studies have shown that chronic systemic inflammation, which we call “fire,” is both a cause of heart attacks and strokes and an important treatment target to help prevent them.
In 2017, the CANTOS trial generated worldwide headlines by reporting that therapies to lower inflammation without lowering cholesterol reduced risk for cardiovascular events and cancer by up to 50 percent. An even newer landmark study by 24 of the world’s top experts on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia, published in Lancet, was the first to report that these memory-robbing brain disorders may be preventable with strategies that include reducing brain inflammation. Here is a look at the latest discoveries and how to use them to keep your brain healthy and your memory sharp.
What is chronic inflammation and why is it so dangerous?
Inflammation is a normally protective response to injury and infection. If you stepped on a rusty nail, cells in the affected area would mobilize immune system troops to battle the invading bacteria. Called “the inflammatory cascade,” this call to arms involves more than 20 proteins that blast the invaders with toxins to kill them.
Chronic inflammation harms rather than heals because the immune system attack never stops. The result is like being shot by “friendly fire” in an endless war raging within the body. In 2012, two landmark studies published in Lancet were the first to show that chronic inflammation actually causes cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading killer of Americans. This fiery process has been linked to so many other deadly or debilitating conditions that some scientists call it “the root of all diseases.”
Heart attacks and strokes are triggered when a diseased artery becomes so inflamed that it can no longer contain the plaque smoldering inside. Like a volcano spewing molten lava, inflammation causes a breech in the artery wall, leading to the formation of a clot. If the clot blocks blood flow to the brain, the result is an ischemic (clot-induced) stroke. If the clot obstructs flow in a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack.
Who is at greatest risk for developing chronic inflammation?
Chronic inflammation is fueled by such lifestyle-related disorders as obesity or having a large waistline, smoking, stress, lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, insulin resistance and poor oral health. A landmark, peer-reviewed BaleDoneen study, published in Postgraduate Medical Journal, was the first to identify high-risk oral bacteria from periodontal disease (PD) and the systemic inflammation they cause as a contributing cause of arterial disease.
Also known as “gum disease,” PD is a chronic oral infection that affects the majority of Americans over age 30, many of whom are undiagnosed and unaware of their cardiovascular danger. A 2016 analysis that pooled results from studies of more than 7,000 people found that those with infected gums were 2½ times more likely to suffer heart attacks as those with healthy gums and other studies have found similar links with heightened risk for stroke.
How does brain inflammation contribute to Alzheimer’s disease?
Inflammation and oxidative stress have also been linked to the buildup of brain deposits of beta-amyloid. Many scientists believe that accumulation of this sticky compound in the brain is the primary cause of AD, with the buildup initially disrupting communication between neurons and ultimately killing them.
According to this theory, known as “the amyloid hypothesis,” the development of the amyloid plaques that are the hallmark of AD activates immune cells, leading to inflammation that eventually destroys brain cells.
What are the best ways to protect your memory and reduce inflammation?
In the Lancet paper cited above, the researchers concluded that up to 35 percent of dementia cases could be prevented with nine healthy lifestyle steps. Proven strategies include the following:
Maintain a healthy weight
The researchers report that obesity raises dementia risk by up to 92 percent. Excess weight and belly fat also greatly increase risk for developing chronic inflammation.
Get checked for gum disease
A 2016 study reported that people with severe PD have a 70 percent higher risk for developing AD. Conversely, a large study of older adults found that those who took excellent care of their teeth and gums lived longer and had lower risk of CVD and other fatal diseases.
Get depression treated
The Lancet researchers report that it’s “biologically plausible” that depression could be a dementia risk because it “affects stress hormones, neuronal growth factors, and [brain] volume.” Recent studies also show that chronic inflammation plays a major role in depression.
Move more
Columbia researchers reported that older adults who exercised vigorously 1.3 hours a week were 33 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, compared to couch potatoes of the same age. Those who combined physical activity such as jogging, hiking, or biking with the Mediterranean diet got even greater benefit, whittling their AD risk by 60 percent over the 5½-year study.
Eat anti-inflammatory foods
Research suggests that a diet high in fruit and vegetables, with moderate amounts of omega-3 rich oily fish (such as salmon, tuna or herring), and low in red meat and sweets, helps lower risk for dementia, heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. For the best cardiovascular protection, we recommend a diet based on your DNA.
Ask your medical provider for inflammation testing
Testing patients for inflammation and treating those who have this dangerous disorder have been key parts of the BaleDoneen Method for more than a decade. We use inexpensive, widely available blood and urine tests to check for this fiery process.
How to Use Physical Clues to Protect Your Heart
By learning to identify early warning signs, you can take action to protect your cardiovascular system. Keeping track of changes in skin, hair, and facial features over time is a simple first step. Pairing this self-awareness with regular cardiovascular screenings such as cholesterol testing, blood pressure monitoring, and heart scans helps detect potential problems early.
Following the rules for a healthy heart is essential. This includes regular physical activity, a heart-healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure, managing stress, and avoiding smoking. Each of these steps reduces inflammation, supports arterial health, and lowers the likelihood of plaque rupture that can trigger heart attacks or strokes. Together with observing physical clues in your appearance, these habits create a powerful defense against cardiovascular disease.
Heart Health Facts You Should Know
Many people underestimate how much the body can reveal about the heart. Subtle changes such as premature graying, baldness, or skin spots may indicate metabolic or arterial issues. Understanding these signals allows for proactive measures. Early recognition and intervention often mean the difference between managing a condition with lifestyle adjustments versus needing more invasive treatments later.
Supplements for heart health, when used appropriately, can further support cardiovascular function. Omega-3 fatty acids, certain antioxidants, and plant-based compounds have been shown to reduce inflammation and support healthy cholesterol levels. However, supplements should not replace a balanced diet and consistent exercise routine.
Improve Heart Health with Awareness and Action
Using self-observation as a tool can improve heart health by alerting you to changes that may indicate risk. Taking note of your facial features, skin, and hair while following preventive strategies can empower you to make choices that protect your heart. Combining personal observation with regular checkups, lab tests, and lifestyle interventions helps reduce the chances of heart attack or stroke and promotes long-term cardiovascular wellness.
FAQs
What does your heart reveal about your health?
Your heart reflects overall cardiovascular function. Changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, or physical indicators like skin or hair changes can reveal hidden risks and signal early stages of heart disease.
How can you tell if your heart is healthy?
A healthy heart is supported by normal blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and physical stamina. Regular medical checkups, exercise, and healthy diet habits are key ways to confirm heart wellness.
What is unique about our hearts?
The heart is a powerful organ that continuously pumps blood throughout the body. Its ability to adapt to stress, exercise, and daily activity makes it central to overall health and longevity.
About the Author: Ed Price
