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For about 100 years, scientists thought that peptic ulcers were caused by stress, spicy food, and alcohol. Later, researchers added stomach acid to the list of causes and began treating ulcers with antacids. Now it is known that peptic ulcers are predominantly caused by Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that normally exist in the stomach.
This year, an estimated 1.4 million Americans will have a new or recurrent heart attack.
People with high total cholesterol have about two times the risk for heart disease as people with ideal levels.
Less than one of every three adults with high LDL cholesterol has the condition under control. Only 48.1% with the condition are being treated for it.
Nearly 31 million adults in America have a total cholesterol level that is more than 240 mg per dL.