Coronary heart disease describes the effect of diminished blood flow on the heart and is usually caused by atherosclerosis, a narrowing of the artery walls. When fatty material and other substances build up on the walls of the arteries and they narrow, there is a decrease in blood and oxygen delivered to your cardiac muscles. Over time, this can cause swelling of the heart and may result in a heart attack.
Contributions
An unhealthy lifestyle including a poor diet contributes to heart disease. A bad diet can lead to diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and uncontrolled weight. Each of these factors independently contribute to a high risk of heart disease. Similarly, you can prevent or control each contributing factor with a healthy diet.
High Cholesterol
Eating a diet high in fat and cholesterol can lead to a condition known as hypercholesterolemia, or simply put, high cholesterol. When your cholesterol is elevated, it means there are large amounts of fat and cholesterol in your bloodstream. This can contribute to and worsen atherosclerosis. When atherosclerosis begins, LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, accumulates on the artery walls that feed the heart and become oxidized, which eventually leads to a blockage. You should try to keep your cholesterol intake less than 300 mg per day.
Sugar and Diabetes
Diabetes occurs as a product of cellular insulin resistance; the body responds by producing more insulin and if left untreated, the body eventually stops producing insulin completely. Glucose is the main source of energy for cells and must be transported into your cells from the bloodstream via insulin. If glucose stays inside the blood, hyperglycemia occurs making the blood sticky and more prone to clotting. According to the book "Cecil Essentials of Medicine," cardiovascular disease is 2 to 5 times more likely to occur in those living with diabetes. Controlling and preventing diabetes means monitoring your intake of sugary foods. Foods that result in a moderate rise in glucose over time are best for controlling blood glucose.
Sodium and Hypertension
A diet high in sodium contributes to hypertension, which can cause artery disease. Sodium increases water retention, which contributes to force on the heart, resulting in high blood pressure. Hypertension can cause artery disease due to the increase in turbulence on the arterial walls. The heart must pump blood out more forcefully when under a high amount of pressure, which causes more rapid blood flow and increased turbulence. This kind of flow leaves the arteries at risk for injury, which can aid in the development of atherosclerosis. You should limit your daily sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day or even less if you have already been diagnosed with hypertension. Avoid eating too many processed foods or adding additional salt to your food to decrease your sodium intake.
Dietary Recommendations
Eating a heart healthy diet is simple - limit fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar and increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat proteins and dairy. Controlling your weight is also part of the equation. Eating a calorie-controlled, nutritious diet can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
References
- MedlinePlus: Coronary Heart Disease
- American Heart Association: Why Cholesterol Matters
- "Exercise Testing and Prescription"; David C. Nieman; 2007
- "Cecil Essentials of Medicine"; Thomas Andreoli, MD, Charles C. Carpenter, MD, Robert C. Griggs, MD, Joseph Loscalzo, MD, editors; 2004
- American Heart Association: Sodium
