Obesity, cause, treatment and complication

Low antibody levels within the body can cause a person susceptible to cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessels), particularly stroke in men. Study published in Academic Journal of Atherosclerosis, directing the research to make immunization for cardiovascular disease.

Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is an inflammation of the blood vessel so that vessel walls become thickened and less elastic. It can cause blood clots and other heart diseases such as coronary heart disease. Until now it is not certain what causes atherosclerosis, but immune system is believed to have an important role. The researchers believe that levels of bad cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) play a role in the development of this disease. The team of researchers from the Karolinska Institute in collaboration with Lund University, finds that there is a natural antibody called anti-PC, which has a target against LDL lipid molecules, play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease.

Research suggests that individuals who have low levels of anti-PC have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Risk was further increased in men with stroke, nearly four times. Risk factors of low anti-PC stand alone and does not depend on other risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.

“Our research to obtain data that anti-PC can be used to improve diagnosis and therapy. We are also developing anti-PC as a vaccine to prevent atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, “said Professor Johan Frostegard, chairman of the research.

The study involved 349 people who have a period of 12 years of heart attack or stroke and 693 individuals without symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

If you have a family member who died suddenly without obvious cause, the genetic examination after death is an effective way to identify the mutation that puts you and your family members have the possible risk of fatal heart rhythm disturbances, as quoted in a recent study conducted.

Investigation of genes after death is a better way to determine cardiovascular risk in families, cardiac examination should be started from the first-generation families, the researchers said Michael J. Ackerman, MD, PhD, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn..

Every year nearly 300,000 Americans suffer sudden cardiac death, in which someone died within minutes after the sudden loss of heart function.

Genetic defects cause 25% to 30% of these cases, said Ackerman. But genetic testing does not prove the existence of risk reduction, the recommended approach is to conduct a comprehensive cardiac examination to first-generation families, he said.

Research on 146 people who died suddenly without known cause, according to Ackerman and colleagues showed two genes that have a heart rhythm abnormalities associated with sudden cardiac death.

Results show that 40 people (27%) had one of two mutations known to cause sudden cardiac death.

The main constraint of this genetic examination is an insurance company would not pay the examination fee, while they must pay higher prices to carry out checks at the heart of every family member.

Cardiologist from Jhon Hopkins, Gordon Tomaselli, MD, said that he hoped that this data can push a lot of insurance companies willing to pay the examination of genes. This data was reported at the annual meeting of the AHA (American Heart Association).