| FRAMINGHAM STUDY ANALYSIS I found and received a copy (PDF) of that basic Framingham heart study that convicts cholesterol of being related to CHD “ Factors of Risk ... Coronary Heart Disease; 1961 -- by Kannel, Dauber and others”. I can see why a doctor would accept this study as proof that cholesterol causes coronary heart disease (CHD). But note the study does NOT consider cholesterol’s relation to a heart attack alone. It equates CHD with ANY ONE of three things: (1) sudden death ( not specifically diagnosed as a heart attack. If you die quickly and no other cause is evident -- they say you had CHD) (2) Angina Pectoris (a certain chest pain) -- in other words -- the study subjects were judged to have CHD if they developed Angina Pectoris -- even if they did not have a heart attack and (3) an EKG that shows an abnormality related to EVER having had a heart attack. BASIC FLAWS IN THE STUDY -- The study appears to makea very convincing case that cholesterol is related to CHD -- but I think it can be faulted because (1) the presentation exaggerates the basic risk of a heart attack, (2) it does not show a cause and effect relationship and (3) it ignores possible explanations for the cholesterol / heart attack relationship that would indicate cholesterol is in the body of heart attack victims before the heart attack because the cholesterol if fighting some basic problem -- like the degeneration of the cell’s membranes. It may be that, as we age, our cells degenerate and cholesterol is called on by the body to repair that degeneration. If that is the case -- high cholesterol would be found in heart attack victims -- but the underlying cause would be cell membrane degeneration. (4) It equates CHD with Angina Pectoris -- in other words -- the study subjects were judged to have CHD if they developed Angina Pectoris -- even if they did not have a heart attack In a court of law, that alternative explanation for cholesterol preceding CHD would be enough to convince the court that cholesterol should not be found guilty of casing CHD -- let alone killing people with a heart attack. Reading the article makes it seem like everyone is at a serious risk of a heart attack -- but the fact is that only about three tenths of 1% of adults will get a heart attack in any one year. It is a very small risk. The study also glosses over the fact that the data seems to show that older people (> 65) do not have to worry about high cholesterol, For them, there does not seem to be any relationship between cholesterol and heart attacks. In fact -- it can be convincingly argued that high cholesterol is good for older people. Remember -- I am an engineer -- I have no formal training with regard to heart disease. Marty martycarbone@yahoo.com |