Natural Remedies Lower Elevated Fibrinogen Levels in the Prevention of Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), which includes heart attack and stroke, is the number one cause of death in the United States. Data gathered from certain lab tests utilized as part of an early detection and prevention strategy can be used to gauge the efficacy of preventative measures in an effort to halt or slow the progression of CVD. Acute phase reactant tests, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Fibrinogen, and Ferritin are the most clinically relevant to detection. Acute phase reactants are proteins that increase or decrease in the presence of inflammatory stimuli. Of the four tests, the most widely used in conventional medicine are ESR and CRP. Fibrinogen tests are underutilized in conventional medicine. Fibrinogen, which originates in the liver, is a fibrous glycoprotein in vertebrates that helps in the formation of blood clots. Fibrinogen levels rise in the following conditions: Inflammation, tissue damage/trauma, infection, cancer, acute coronary syndrome, strokes, and inflammatory diseases. Fibrinogen tests are often used after a cardiovascular incident has occurred or if symptoms are severe enough to warrant a test. However, there is sufficient evidence which shows that fibrinogen levels slowly begin to rise long before a heart attack or stroke and may even be reflective of the severity of subclinical atherosclerotic conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other preventative natural medical systems have treatments which reduce or normalize Fibrinogen levels, thereby, preventing the progression of symptoms that can lead to more serious cardiovascular occurrences in the future. This article will review published studies that show how natural remedies can effectively lower elevated plasma fibrinogen levels.