Coronary artery disease, or heart disease, is the build up of fatty deposits called plaque build up on the wall of the arteries. These deposits are made up out of cholesterol and fats such as triglycerides. They cause the arteries to narrow and become less elastic.
About 17 million people die of coronary artery diseases such as strokes and heart attacks around the world every year.
There are various risk factors linked to heart disease, and getting to know the risks can help to better prevention and lessen the risks.
A major risk factor is smoking as nicotine and carbon monoxide from cigarettes smoke damage the arteries. Smoking also increases blood pressure, reduces tolerance to exercise and will make the blood clot more easily. When smoking is combined with other well know risk factors the chance of developing coronary artery disease is greatly increased.
Being obese or overweight is another risk factor. Excess weight increases the strain on the heart and the cardio vascular system. The heart does not pump oxygenated blood around the cardiovascular system as efficiently as it should.
Obesity is defined as just too much fat, and fat can result in coronary artery disease.
High blood pressure is another major contributing factor. As plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries blood pressure increases as the blood has less room to pass through. The arteries also become less elastic which leads to increased blood pressure.
Sodium, salt, increases blood pressure as it holds on to fluids in the body. The correct daily intake for salt 1,500 mg (about a 2/3rds of a teaspoon) but today’s modern ready made food contains a lot of salt. Too much salt increases blood pressure which in turn puts extra strain on the heart. It is better to cook from scratch using good quality ingredients.
Diabetes is another well know risk factor when it comes to coronary artery disease. Diabetes changes the arteries by making the lining thicker and this impairs blood flow. Angina is often seen in diabetes patients. Angina is a chest pain which is experienced when the heart does not get enough oxygen rich blood.
A high fat diet is a major contributor to all cardio vascular disease such as heart attacks as a diet high in fat can potentially increase the build up of plaque in the arteries quickly.
A diet high in saturated fats for instance cheese and transfats is more likely to cause cardiovascular problems than a diet which is based on lean meats, wholegrain breads, fruits and vegetables.
Lack of exercise can cause a range of health problems such arthritis, dementia and cardio vascular disease. Staying active reduces body fat and it also raises good cholesterol – HDL.
Physical activity improves circulation and leads to a more stabile and also lower blood pressure which is an excellent way to decrease risk factors.
There are two forms of cholesterol LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL is the dangerous type of cholesterol which can increase the risk of coronary artery disease. HDL is a less dangerous form and is believed to help lower LDL. The forms should be kept in balance. LDL can be lowered by medication and a better balanced diet. HDL can be increased by exercise, and one of the best way to increase HDL is by taking a walk before dinner.
Family history is a known risk factor in many illnesses and there is evidence which show that some people might be more likely to suffer coronary artery disease. To date 250 genes have been identified as possibly increasing the risk.
Age increases the risk of any disease but coronary artery disease is still the leading cause of death.
Strokes, heart attacks and irregular heartbeat are still common place in many emergency rooms.
Sex is also an important risk factor to bear in mind. Men are more likely to develop coronary artery disease and die from heart attacks than women. Estrogen sex hormones interact with other risk factors such as cholesterol, excessive weight and blood pressure.
There are also other risk factors involved and research into the importance of B vitamins
and an amino acid called Homocysteine is relatively new and a conclusive link is yet to be found.