HSI’s 13 Most Surprising Cures • 93Serious heart consequences when
galectin-3 spirals out of control
In these out-of-control cases, it seems that galectin-3 is triggered in the
normal way, by some (known or unknown) damage to the heart.
But instead of simply stopping when that damage has been tended to, the
fibrosis keeps going. It becomes so progressive that it can actually change the
shape and structure of your heart, a process called adverse remodeling. And
that, very often, leads to heart failure.
Unfortunately, galectin-3 related heart failure is all too common. And the
fact that this problem is progressive makes it even worse, as it continues to cause
more and more damage—increasing the risk of hospitalization...and death.
The statistics are pretty scary. About 30% of mild to moderate heart
attacks are triggered by this galectin-3 problem. Nearly two-thirds of peo-
ple hospitalized because of heart failure have elevated galectin-3 levels. And
galectin-3 related heart problems come with a very high death rate, similar
to that of invasive cancers. Worse, patients with high galectin-3 levels face an
increased risk of dying within 60 days.^2
But thanks to new technology, you can find out if you have elevated galec-
tin-3 levels. And if you do, there is a solution, a way to help you overcome this
once insurmountable problem.
How high are your galectin-3 levels?
Researchers were surprised when they found that galectin-3 played a
dangerous role in heart failure3—it was not what they’d been looking for. In
fact, they’d cast a wide net in their animal study, and come back with a single,
devastating target: galectin-3.
That finding had enormous implications, and has led to quite a bit more
focused research, including major human clinical studies (like the HF-AC-
TION4 and COACH4 studies). All of those have found that high levels of
galectin-3 can wreak havoc on your heart, and put you at a high risk for death.
But good news came out of that research as well. Scientists have been able
to identify danger levels for galectin-3, and that eventually led to the develop-
ment of a focused blood test. And this test can help identify people at risk for
this “inherently progressive” form of heart failure, people with galectin-3 levels
higher than 17.8ng/mL.
High levels of galectin-3 seem to be a very powerful indicator of higher
risk of imminent death. And one study even found that elevated blood levels
can help identify patients at risk of dying of heart failurewithin 60 days!^2