Study: Low-calorie sweeteners linked to risk of heart disease and stroke
Common zero-calorie sweeteners may increase your risk of heart disease, according to new research. (Scripps News)
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person dies from cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds in the United States. In March, Nicholas Brendon became one of the many people who die each year from the disease, which remains the country’s leading cause of death.
The 54-year-old “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” actor died of atherosclerosis and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to a coroner’s report seen by USA TODAY. The report also cited a previous myocardial infarction (heart attack) and acute pneumonia as contributing factors to his death, and the cause of death was determined to be natural.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on artery walls, and ASCVD-related diseases are a “leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide,” according to the American Heart Association. The autopsy report said Brendon’s right coronary artery was 90% blocked.
Here’s what you need to know about Brendon’s condition and what you can do about your risk of heart disease.
What is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease?
According to the Mayo Clinic, atherosclerosis involves the buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances (also called plaque) in your arteries. This narrows the arteries, blocks blood flow, and causes blood clots to form, leading to heart attacks and strokes.
Atherosclerosis usually does not cause symptoms until the arteries become significantly clogged or narrowed. When this happens, symptoms vary depending on which artery is affected.
If the affected artery is in the heart, you may experience symptoms such as chest pain and pressure called angina. If the artery connects to the brain, symptoms may include sudden numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, difficulty speaking, slurred speech, sudden or temporary loss of vision in one eye, or drooping of the face.
If the affected artery is in the arm or leg, symptoms may include leg pain when walking and decreased blood pressure in the limb. If it is in arteries leading to the kidneys, symptoms such as high blood pressure in these arteries and kidney failure may occur.
The Mayo Clinic recommends seeking emergency medical help if you experience any of the following: sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking, slurred speech, sudden or temporary loss of vision in one eye, or drooping facial muscles.
What is hypertensive cardiovascular disease?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, hypertensive heart disease involves damage to the heart caused by years of uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure. It can cause heart failure and increases the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Symptoms include leg swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, heart palpitations, dizziness, and fainting.
The coroner’s report said Brendon’s longtime friend, who was “spending more time with him due to his declining health,” said Brendon “couldn’t stop coughing and was self-medicating with over-the-counter medications.” The actor also complained of chest pain, but when a friend suggested he go to the hospital, he refused.
What can you do about your risk of heart disease?
Heart disease is very common. Although we can’t control family history, gender, age, or menopausal status, there are many modifiable lifestyle and health factors that can be adjusted to reduce the risk of heart disease, Dr. Karol Watson, co-director of the UCLA Preventive Cardiology Program and director of the UCLA Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Health, previously told USA TODAY.
Some long-established risk factors for coronary heart disease include high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that 99% of people who experience a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure were exposed to at least one of four risk factors above acceptable levels: blood cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and smoking.
Dr. Philip Greenland, a professor of cardiology at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine and one of the study’s lead authors, previously told USA TODAY that it was important for researchers to evaluate multiple measurements “because risk factors tend to fluctuate.”
Is heart disease preventable?
Watson previously told USA TODAY that health experts often estimate that heart disease is at least 80% preventable.
Watson added that people are not always aware of their risk of heart disease, especially if they “haven’t checked their blood pressure in a while or don’t know their cholesterol.”
But if it is detected that someone has high cholesterol levels, “we become more aggressive in treating things like cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, diabetes, etc. to prevent that person from having a heart attack in the future,” Dr. Eugene Yang, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the Carl and Renée Behnke Endowed Chair in Asian Health, previously told USA TODAY.
The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 is a framework that details eight aspects of cardiovascular health to consider. These include following a healthy eating pattern, getting regular medical attention, quitting smoking, practicing good sleep hygiene, controlling your weight, and watching your blood cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels. According to the AHA, improving these lifestyle and health factors can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other life-threatening cardiovascular diseases.
From a prevention perspective, “we need to focus more on (adherence to) these eight essential life behaviors, because that’s what really prevents heart disease,” Yang said.
Contributors: Brendan Morrow, Caroline C. Boyle
