Natural disease investigation. Atherosclerosis, blood cholesterol, and the environment.
A review of the major forces in the general community which increase the rate of coronary heart disease is presented in the same medicolegal context as experienced by the medical examiner when he confronts a dead body where no foul play is thought to have occurred. The average values of the major blood lipids formed in coronary victims (i.e., 244 mg% cholesterol, 4.5 total/HDL cholesterol) are discussed rather than the old "greater than 300 mg%." Salt, hypertension, the "safe" cigarette, exercise, and stress are all considered as possible culprits in this case; these factors, along with cholesterol and our rich diet, avoid "prosecution" even though their role in coronary disease connects each of them to the high rate. Every fifth man and every seventh woman develop this disease under the age of 60; this is a crime, in my opinion.
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012907:Smoking; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications
D012965:Sodium Chloride