The Widow Maker is a heart attack caused by the blockage of the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery from long-term atherosclerosis.  Doctors will tell you about the numerous risk factors for the Widow Maker.  However, the underlying cause of local atherosclerosis is unknown.  Let’s learn more about how oxidative stress may be the underlying cause of the Widow Maker and how to prevent it.

What’s Special about LAD?

Although both coronary arteries branch off from the Aorta, blockage of the LAD Artery is more common than the Right Coronary Artery (RCA).  Take a look at the figure above.  Pay attention to the difference between the RCA and LAD Artery.  Do you see it?  Both branch out from the Aorta, but their paths are different.  The RCA lies on the surface of the heart.  The LAD artery lies on the Pulmonary Artery near the Aorta for a short stretch before lying on the surface of the heart.  Could this difference be important?  Oxidative Stress compounds, such as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), diffuse across the Pulmonary Artery wall and through the LAD artery.  In contrast, the thick heart muscle protects the RCA.  Long-term exposure to Oxidative Stress in the LAD Artery may cause higher rates of atherosclerosis.  Which types of Oxidative Stress impact the LAD Artery?

Four Types of Oxidative Stress Impact the LAD Artery

There are four types of Oxidative Stress that impact the LAD Artery.  Smoking tobacco contributes ROS and toxic compounds that diffuse into the arterial capillary network of the lungs and back to the heart.  Alcoholism can generate ROS for short periods that increase the Oxidative Stress level in the Pulmonary Artery.  Regular yogurt consumption may also generate Oxidative Stress that is available in the Pulmonary Artery for short periods.  Your lungs clear any ROS generated from alcohol or yogurt consumption.  This means these sources of ROS do not impact the LAD Artery via blood flow.  Instead, they only impact the LAD Artery via diffusion from the Pulmonary Artery.  Blood Oxidative Stress or BLOS is the more common and dangerous type of Oxidative Stress.  Let’s learn more about BLOS.

Blood Oxidative Stress

About 2/3 of adult Americans have Blood Oxidative Stress or BLOS.  For BLOS, a large fraction of the White Blood Cells and platelets produce high rates of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide.  BLOS isn’t normal and the Western Diet is thought to be the primary cause of BLOS.  Higher BLOS levels may be the cause of several chronic diseases including Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.  Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) is a group of compounds associated with Oxidative Stress.  These ROS molecules alter expression profiles (enzyme production) and damage DNA.  The most common ROS molecule is hydrogen peroxide.  The figure below describes how BLOS affects the entire human body.

LAD Artery Atherosclerosis

Every source of Oxidative Stress causes local atherosclerosis in the LAD Artery.  BLOS is the most dangerous type of Oxidative Stress, since it is continuous (24/7), while other types only generate Oxidative Stress for short periods.  In addition, BLOS provides Oxidative Stress to the LAD Artery in two ways.  First, it directly provides Oxidative Stress in the LAD Artery from the ROS-induced blood cells.  Second, Oxidative Stress from BLOS diffuses from the Pulmonary Artery to the LAD Artery.  If you’re concerned about your risk of having a Widow Maker heart attack, then you should reduce your BLOS.

Reduce Your Risk of a Widow Maker Heart Attack

Most doctors will recommend that you reduce your smoking, alcohol consumption, and caloric intake to reduce your risk of heart attack.  A change in diet may reduce your weight, but it’s unclear whether you’re reducing BLOS.  A Urine Oxidative Stress test kit may be helpful in evaluating your dietary changes.

Health Hack for Life

If you are a curious about BLOS and want to learn more, then my eBook, “Let’s Hack Oxidative Stress” may interest you.  In my eBook, I provide more details on my simple strategy for using three lifestyle choices to reduce your Oxidative Stress and improve your health.  I have a collection of eBooks and Paperback Versions that describe general and custom Health Hacks.  The rest of the items needed for your Hack are available through Amazon or your local stores.  However, there is a simpler way to gather up all of the products for  your Hack: Buy an Oxidative Stress Hack Kit from my Store!

Glixin Provides Useful Information to Help You Fight BLOS

We will continue to provide thought provoking Blog Posts on health related issues caused by BLOS.  Consider subscribing to my blog and sharing posts with your family and friends that may suffer from BLOS.  Also check out the new Glixin YouTube Channel.  I’ll be posting new videos related to the Glixin Blog.  Keep BLOS out of your Health Blind Spot by learning how to use make better Lifestyle Choices.

As always, read my disclaimer and always consult with your physician before making any changes in your diet or fitness regime.

Click on the image below to download our Free Report on the Best Vitamin C Supplement for fighting Oxidative Stress.