Coronary artery disease most often results from a buildup of plaque or cholesterol in the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart tissue. When plaque buildup, or atherosclerosis, completely blocks an artery, a heart attack occurs and cells in the heart muscle die. Coronary artery disease is most common in men; however, heart disease also is the leading cause of death in women. Nutrition plays an important role in a woman's diet, as well as a man's, in the prevention of heart disease.
Saturated Fat
Saturated fat plays an important role in the risk of a woman's chances of developing heart disease. Saturated fat is most commonly found in animal meals, fried foods and in unhealthy cooking oils. This unhealthy fat can cause an increase in plaque buildup in the arteries and subsequent plaque formation. Therefore, reducing the amount of saturated fats consumed on a daily basis should be kept to a maximum of 10 percent of a woman's daily caloric intake to prevent coronary artery disease. In addition, a woman should choose healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which have been found to prevent coronary heart disease.
Salt
A high salt diet can increase blood pressure in women as it can in men. Salt causes more body water to enter the bloodstream, which results in an increased force for the heart to pump against, a condition called high blood pressure. Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause heart damage and enlargement, which may negatively affect the coronary arteries. Therefore, a woman should not consume more than 2,300 mg of salt per day to maintain heart health.
Sugary Foods
Foods that are high in sugar can increase a woman's risk for developing diabetes, which can damage the coronary arteries. Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels remain elevated secondary to decreased insulin production or increased insulin sensitivity that results in the buildup of blood sugar in the bloodstream. High levels of blood sugar can clog the coronary arteries, which can limit blood flow and result in heart disease. A woman can avoid sugary foods and replace them with complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice, brown pastas, whole grains and cereals. Complex carbohydrates allow a steady release of digested sugar into the bloodstream, allowing for better blood sugar control.
Cholesterol
A woman must be cautious of her cholesterol intake to avoid coronary heart disease. Cholesterol aids in the formation of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack. Specifically, low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol causes plaque deposition in the coronary arteries and other arteries throughout the body. LDL levels should be less than 100, or less than 70 if a woman is at a higher risk for heart disease. A woman should reduce her intake for fatty foods, fried foods, processed foods and unhealthy oils to reduce LDL levels. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is a healthy cholesterol that helps remove plaques from the arteries to improve heart health. A woman should eat more fish, healthy fats and drink alcohol in moderation to improve HDL levels. Although a serving of alcohol per day is beneficial, a woman should not begin drinking alcohol if she does not already do so.
