Editorial: Factors in the Prevention of Cardio-Vascular Diseases – Part 1: 96 Cardio-Vascular Risk Factors,with Special Emphasis on the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension,Controllable Dietary Risk Factors,and Recommended U.S. Dietary Goals

Abstract

Cardio-vascular diseases account for more than half of the total deaths in the United States each year. However, there are usually early signs of these diseases, as well as contributing multiple cardio-vascular risk factors, many of which are controllable. 96 major and minor, controllable and uncontrollable cardio-vascular risk factors, the most extensive list ever assembled, are enumerated. These Include dietary factors, such as the roles of cholesterol, saturated and un-saturated fats, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, sodium, potassium, calcium, heavy metal ions, etc. and critical discussion was made on the blind endorsement by many responsible physicians of very low salt diets for everyone, and recommended U.S. dietary goals. The authors emphasize that the ratio of sodium and potassium Intake is a very critical factor contributing to the maximum limit of safe sodium intake, particularly for the kidney's tolerance to sodium. The optimal ratio of sodium to potassium intake is estimated to be from about 2-4 to 1, depending upon the individual. Critical discussion was also made on the mechanisms and problems involved in the current methods of treatment of hypertension, including drug treatment with beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, converting enzyme inhibitors, slow calcium ion channel blockers, and their inter-relationship with serum renin activity level, as well as laser beam and acupuncture treatment. In addition, the authors discuss the new, simple, non-invasive, early diagnostic method, the “Bi-digital O-ring Dysfunction Localization Method,” and its application to evaluation of drug compatability and optimal dose. Cephalic hypertension, hypotension and mixed cephalic hypertension & hypotension syndromes, lower extremity hypertension phenomena, and cervical position dependent vascular (and neuro-muscular) dysfunction syndrome, all of which have recently been discovered by one of the authors, are also discussed.