Know Your Risk Before It Strikes
Your arteries could be hiding early disease. Find out today.
Chronic inflammation is more than a medical buzzword. It is the hidden fire behind heart disease, stroke, and many chronic conditions. Understanding and treating inflammation through personalized care, early testing, and healthy lifestyle choices offers real protection. From defining inflammation to exploring its causes and prevention, science now proves that managing this process is the key to lifelong heart and brain health.
You’ve probably seen headlines hailing a new “wonder drug” as “the biggest medical breakthrough since statins” for treating heart disease. Gushing press reports also proclaimed that the drug, canakinumab, cuts risk for heart attacks, strokes, and cancer with a “revolutionary” approach targeting inflammation, not cholesterol according to clinical trial results released at a medical meeting on August 28.
What’s missing from the hype about “a new era” in treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) the leading killer of Americans is that there’s nothing “new” about targeting chronic inflammation. In fact, the BaleDoneen Method has been doing exactly that for more than a decade as a crucial part of our science-based heart-attack-and-stroke prevention plan! Here’s a closer look at the study and key facts about arterial inflammation, which we call “fire.”
Who did this study and what did they find out?
The CANTOS clinical trial, sponsored by the drug company Novartis, was designed to find out if reducing inflammation in heart attack survivors lowers their risk for repeat CV events. Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital randomly assigned 10,061 patients, all of whom had high levels of inflammation, to either receive canakinumab (given in either 50, 150, or 300 mg doses) or a placebo. All patients also received standard care, including cholesterol-lowering statins.
The team tracked the patients’ health for four years and reported a 15% drop in risk for CV events including fatal or non-fatal heart attacks and strokes in those who received 150 or 300 mg doses of canakinumab and a more than 30% drop in the need for bypass surgery or angioplasty to re-open blocked arteries. This group also had lower rates of cancer deaths, but slightly higher risk for fatal infections. The findings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
What’s the link between inflammation and heart attacks?
In 2012, two landmark studies published in Lancet were the first to show that chronic inflammation actually causes CVD. This fiery process is also at the root of many other debilitating or life-threatening conditions, including diabetes and cancer. In fact, it is more dangerous to your arteries than having high cholesterol!
As discussed more fully in the BaleDoneen book, Beat the Heart Attack Gene, 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 that blocks blood flow.
Our method uses inexpensive blood and urine tests to check for this fiery process, which is most common in people who are overweight, particularly if they are also physically inactive and/or smoke. Talk to your healthcare provider about inflammation testing, even if your cholesterol levels are normal. In one large study of people hospitalized for a heart attack, the majority had “normal” cholesterol and many had “optimal” levels under U.S. national guidelines.
Is canakinumab currently available for heart-disease patients?
Canakinumab, sold under the trade name Ilaris with a list price of about $200,000 a year, is currently FDA approved for treatment of a few rare conditions, but NOT for heart disease. It’s a monoclonal antibody a type of drug that acts like a smart bomb that targets an inflammatory substance called interleukin-1 beta (IL-1B).
As discussed more fully in the BaleDoneen book, Beat the Heart Attack Gene, some people carry IL-1A or IL-1B genes that heighten their response to inflammation, greatly raising their risk for CVD. In fact, their lifetime risk equals that of a smoker! A saliva test is available for check for these genes, which also quadruple risk for periodontal (gum) disease, making it particularly crucial for IL-1 gene carriers to get optimal dental care.
There are also several other genetic tests your healthcare provider can use as part of a comprehensive BaleDoneen assessment of your heart health. And if any of them show that you may be at increased risk for a heart attack or stroke, the potentially lifesaving news is that our method has proven strategies, including easy, heart-smart lifestyle steps, to prevent these events without turning to a $200,000 drug!
Treating Inflammation: The Real Key to Heart and Brain Health
The true breakthrough in heart attack and stroke prevention isn’t found in a $200,000 drug. It lies in understanding and treating inflammation at its source. Inflammation is not just a symptom. It is the underlying process driving many of today’s chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Understanding the Fire Within
Before learning how to control it, it helps to know the inflammation definition. In simple terms, inflammation is your body’s natural defense against injury or infection. When it becomes chronic, this defense system turns against you. Instead of protecting, it begins to damage tissues and arteries, accelerating disease.
The Hidden Causes of Inflammation
The causes of inflammation are often lifestyle-related. Poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, and smoking all contribute to the body’s inflammatory “fire.” Hidden infections in the gums, gut, or other areas can also play a role. Even excess body fat releases inflammatory molecules that harm the cardiovascular system.
Environmental toxins and oxidative stress add more fuel to this fire, damaging the lining of blood vessels. This damage allows cholesterol and plaque buildup, creating the perfect storm for heart attacks and strokes.
Chronic Inflammation Treatment: The BaleDoneen Way
The BaleDoneen Method focuses on chronic inflammation treatment through precision medicine. Instead of masking symptoms, it looks for the root cause using advanced testing. Blood and urine tests identify inflammatory markers such as hs-CRP and myeloperoxidase. Once the source is known, it can be safely reduced.
Treatment plans often include anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, fatty fish, and olive oil. Daily movement, stress reduction, and restorative sleep are also essential. When needed, targeted supplements and medications may be added, but always as part of a personalized plan.
Ways to Prevent Inflammation Before It Starts
Preventing inflammation is far easier than treating its damage later. The best ways to prevent inflammation include maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding processed foods, and managing oral health. Regular exercise keeps blood vessels flexible and improves circulation.
Staying hydrated, reducing sugar, and getting enough fiber all help regulate the immune system. Even simple habits, like spending time outdoors or practicing mindfulness, lower stress hormones that contribute to inflammation.
A Smarter Path to Prevention
The BaleDoneen approach shows that fighting inflammation is the most effective form of disease prevention. While drugs like canakinumab may help a small group, they cannot replace lifestyle-driven healing. The real “wonder treatment” for heart disease is already within reach. It starts with everyday choices that keep inflammation in check.
Testing for inflammatory genes like IL-1 and monitoring markers over time provides clarity and direction. By controlling inflammation early, you can protect both your heart and your brain for decades to come.
FAQs
How do I decrease inflammation in my body?
Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and omega-3 fats. Exercise regularly, get good sleep, and avoid smoking or excessive alcohol. Managing stress and gum health also helps.
What are some symptoms of inflammation?
Common signs include fatigue, joint pain, redness, swelling, or stiffness. In some cases, inflammation is silent and only detectable through blood tests.
What does high inflammation in the body feel like?
It can cause brain fog, tiredness, muscle aches, and general discomfort. Chronic inflammation may go unnoticed until it causes disease.
What are three signs of chronic inflammation?
Persistent fatigue, digestive problems, and recurring infections are common signs. Blood markers like hs-CRP also reveal ongoing inflammation.
About the Author: Carol
