Atherosclerotic heart disease, or coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading killer of Americans. According to the American Heart Association, over 445,000 deaths were caused by CHD in 2005. It is characterized by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart and can ultimately lead to a heart attack. There are a number of risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease. They include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol and a sedentary life style. Learning how to manage your risk for CHD can minimize your chances of having a heart attack. It all starts at home.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is caused by excessive pressure from circulating blood against the inside of the arteries. Years of high blood pressure can damage the delicate endothelium on the inside of the coronary arteries and cause the heart to work harder. As the arterial walls become damaged, they accumulate fat and cholesterol, eventually leading to narrowing of the inside dimension of the arteries. If the arteries become completely occluded, angina or a heart attack ensues.
Obesity
Over 30 percent of the American population is overweight or obese. This is largely due to sedentary living and poor dietary choices. Eating calorie dense foods laden with saturated fat and cholesterol is responsible for coronary artery disease. Although the average American adult requires 2000 calories to maintain good health, many choose to eat much more. The result is a gradual weight gain. Even more important than weight gain is how people carry it. Studies have shown that people who carry extra weight around their mid-section are at higher risk for heart disease than those who store fat around their hips or other parts of the body.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder that affects the way the body uses glucose. Glucose starts out as carbohydrates in the food you eat. After digestion in the small intestines, glucose enters the bloodstream where it is distributed to your muscles, major organs and tissues of the body. Diabetics either have a shortage of insulin or tissues that are insensitive to it. In both cases, the results are the same: high levels of circulating blood glucose. Over time high blood glucose concentrations can damage the inside of the coronary arteries and encourage fat and cholesterol accumulation. The best way to treat diabetes is through a combination of diet, exercise and medications.
Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide, nicotine and hundreds of other toxic chemicals that can damage the inside of the arteries. It has also been shown to increase blood pressure, reduce tolerance to exercise, decrease high density lipoproteins (the good type of cholesterol) and increase the chances of a blood clot in the coronary arteries. According to the American Heart Association, it is the leading preventable risk for heart disease.
High Cholesterol
According to a 2009 update by the American Heart Association, more than 98 million Americans have cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dl--the diagnostic threshold for hypercholesterolemia. Because the body makes all of the cholesterol it needs to build cells, regulate fluids and manufacture hormones, any excess cholesterol in the blood is usually the result of a diet high in cholesterol and saturated fat. Cholesterol that is not used by the body circulates in the bloodstream, where it accumulates on the inside of the coronary arteries. Over time, cholesterol deposits calcify and completely shut off blood to the heart. The result is a heart attack.
Sedentary Lifestyle
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, healthy adults under the age of 65 should get 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 5 times a week to maintain health and fitness. The reality is that 7 out of 10 Americans don't get enough exercise, despite its proven health benefits. Sedentary living contributes to obesity, diabetes, low HDL, high LDL and high blood pressure. Sedentary people who don't exercise typically make poorer diet choices that can lead to a higher risk for heart disease. By exercising, adults can reverse all of the mentioned risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease.
