Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation

Leaders in Support
Advances against cardiovascular disease abound... Research to prevent arterial blockage...Heart disease death rate falling...

Headlines like these are not fictional. There IS progress against the nation's long-standing, number one killer. The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation helps assure continued progress by supporting investigations that will hopefully bring about a cure for cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease touches everyone directly or indirectly, causing more deaths than the next two leading causes of death-cancer and accidents-combined. In addition to causing a tragic loss of human life, cardiovascular disease also has a severe economic impact. The American Heart Association estimates the current cost of the disease at more than $137 billion annually.

The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation focuses its energy and philanthropic resources on advancing research into the most prevalent type of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis. For more than ten years the foundation has contributed, in order to make a significant difference in the lives of many.

The future looks promising.

How the Disease Develops

Stage 1

The inner layer of a normal artery is gradually injured by high blood pressure, circulating cholesterol, and oxidizing substances that are increased by smoking.

[IMAGE]
Stage 2

A gradual thickening of the artery wall occurs as cholesterol accumulates and smooth muscle cells grow.

[IMAGE]
Stage 3

The thickening wall's mechanical instability causes it to crack without warning.

[IMAGE]
Stage 4

The irregular wall is now a potent stimulus for clot formation (thrombosis). The formation of such a clot may often prove to be the final step in blockage of an artery leading to heart attack or stroke.

The Problem
Every 34 seconds, an American dies from some form of cardiovascular disease. Each year, close to 2 million Americans become stroke victims. Medical Research has identified several factors that are associated with a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Some factors such as male gender, heredity, and advancing age cannot be changed. However, there are additional factors, several of which result from lifestyle choices, which can be modified or controlled:
High Blood Pressure - increases the heart's work load, causing it to enlarge and weaken over time. One in four adult Americans has high blood pressure.
Smoking - is the most significant risk factor for sudden cardiac death. Smokers have two-to-four times the risk of sudden cardiac death as non-smokers.
High Cholesterol - increases the risk of coronary artery disease. The higher the level, the higher the risk.
Sedentary Lifestyle - can lead to several risk factors for atherosclerosis, including excess weight and high cholesterol. Lack of exercise is especially risky when combined with an unhealthy diet.
Warning Signs - The following are warning signs of a heart attack.
• Prolonged, heavy squeezing pain in the heart
• Shortness of breath with nausea
• Radiating pain in the neck, shoulder, or arm.
If you experience these symptoms, please contact your doctor.