Food and lifestyle play a major role in getting heart disease, or cardiovascular disease. In fact, one hundred years ago, heart disease was very rare. People ate a lot healthier and got more exercise than people do today. Now that we are in the 21st century, cardiovascular disease is at epidemic proportions. In fact, coronary heart disease is accountable for the majority of heart attack deaths. As well, there are other types of heart disease that contribute to death and disabilities.

What is Coronary Heart Disease?

Coronary heart disease is a disease of the arteries for which provide the heart with nutrients and blood. If sixty percent of any artery is narrowed then it is diagnosed as coronary artery disease. Heart attacks happen when a spasm disrupts blood flow or there is a blockage to a heart muscle. The extent of the damage will depend on the location of the blockage or spasm and how soon there is medical treatment. Heart attacks can cause irreversible damage and sometimes death. Unfortunately, about one third of heart attacks go undetected, having no symptoms or signs of any problem. Usually silent heart attacks occur in older individuals, diabetics, individuals with previous heart problems.

There are risk factors that contribute to heart disease. Some risk factors are unavoidable such as age (65 or older), race (African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians are at greater risk), male gender, and a family history of heart attacks. But there are other high risk factors which contribute to heart disease that can be changed.

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force exerted against the walls of the arteries as blood travels through the circulatory system. The standard pressure for young adults is 120/80. Any pressure that is 140/90 or greater is considered to be high blood pressure or hypertension. The lowest your blood pressure should be is 100/60. Maintaining your blood pressure at low or normal levels is considered to be the healthiest.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for strokes and heart disease. Ways to prevent hypertension are relaxation techniques, reduce salt and alcohol consumption, increase calcium and potassium, lose weight, avoid tobacco, and exercise.

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a steroid that is a vital component of nerve tissue. Neural (nerve) tissue is used in the production of cell walls, hormones, and bile (for the absorption and digestion of fats). A certain amount of cholesterol is needed for good health but high levels in the blood are connected to strokes and heart attacks. Ways to prevent high cholesterol are to
reduce fat consumption by at least 15%, limit polyunsaturated fats (margarine, oils) to 10%, and add mono-unsaturated fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds).

Cigarette Smoking

Tobacco constricts circulation. Many physicians believe that cigarette smoking is the highest risk factor to heart disease. Aside from causing lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchitis, it contributes to around thirty percent of coronary heart disease.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot make use of glucose (sugar) properly causing it to build up in the bloodstream and depriving cells of nutrients. Diabetics are more apt to have heart attacks and stokes than no diabetics. In fact, coronary artery disease is increased by two to three times the normal rate for men and three to seven times more for women.

Obesity

Being overweight overworks the heart and puts one at high risk for cardiovascular disease. As well, fat accumulates more in the upper half of the body and can increase hypertension, high triglycerides, and insulin imbalances. If you are overweight you can lower your risk of heart disease by losing five to ten percent of your body fat by a healthy diet and moderate exercise.

Physical Inactivity

Quite often research has shown that people who exert themselves either in recreation or work are strikingly free of circulatory diseases. A regular daily walk, some type of aerobic exercise such as swimming, dancing, or jogging strengthens the whole cardiovascular system. Physical inactivity (hypokinesis) can increase the risk of coronary heart disease up to ninety percent.

Stress

Stress can be the underlying cause of all disease. If stress is not dealt with in a constructive way it can increase the risk of heart disease. When hormones are released by the body during distress or chronic stress the heart rate increases, breathing rate is escalated, blood pressure is raised, blood platelets can clump together, the immune system is activated, and blood sugar rushes to the muscle to provide instant energy. To reduce stress you can exercise, do deep breathing, meditation, laugh more often, and consciously take na rest and relaxation period everyday.

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