Coronary heart disease is a top source of ill health and mortality in the U.S. and many other countries. It may easily go unnoticed until symptoms develop. Treatment can be with drugs or surgical interventions. Preventive strategies, such as lifestyle changes, are also helpful in staving off the disease.
Coronary Heart Disease
By far the most common cell in the blood is the red blood cell or erythrocyte. A primary function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen to the organs according to "Physiology" by Dr. Linda Costanzo. All organs need oxygen to perform work and survive. The heart needs a particularly large supply of oxygen because it is constantly pumping blood. As such, it supplies blood and oxygen to all the organs, including itself. Coronary heart disease refers to the narrowing of the blood vessels in the heart. It is bad because it deprives the heart of blood, and can lead to a decreased ability of the heart to perform work. If an artery in the heart becomes completely blocked, this kills part of the heart muscle, and is the same as a heart attack.
Fiber And Coronary Heart Disease
Heart disease includes many risk factors. Some cannot be changed, such as age, others can be, such as smoking. Dietary factors are one of the changeable risk factors for coronary heart disease. Fiber has been shown to decrease the risk of coronary heart disease. It may work by binding to fats and cholesterol in the intestine, therefore causing them to be excreted, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" by Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.
Beneficial Lipids And Coronary Heart Disease
Lipids are fat-like molecules. These include saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, trans fat, fatty acids and cholesterol. Some of these lipids are beneficial. Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, as well as omega fatty acids, have been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease. They appear to increase the levels of good cholesterol in the body. Good cholesterol, known as HDL, or high density lipoprotein, may remove fats from the artery walls and take it to the liver to be excreted. Higher levels are linked to lower rates of heart disease.
Unhealthy Lipids And Coronary Heart Disease
Other types of fat, such as cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat, increase bad cholesterol levels in the body. Bad cholesterol is also known as LDL, or low density lipoprotein. Low density lipoprotein appears to be manufactured in the liver from the dietary intake of these bad fats. The LDL is transported through the blood stream where it gets trapped by the blood vessel walls. The buildup can slowly block the flow of blood.
References
- "Physiology"; Linda S.Costanzo; 4th Ed 2008
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony S Fauci et al; 17th Ed 2008
- "Nutrition Concepts and Controversies"; Frances Sizer, Ellie Whitney; 11th Ed 2007
