Hardening of the arteries is a symptom of the disease atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood stick to the inner walls...
High cholesterol presents a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that over 70 million Americans had high LDL or "bad cholesterol" levels. Over...
Heart disease is closely linked to diet: Some foods may lead to coronary disease, and some types of heart disease can be made worse by what you eat. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, according to the National...
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is the underlying cause of coronary heart disease. As fatty plaques build up in the arteries of your heart, blood flow to your heart muscle diminishes, and the likelihood of a heart attack increases....
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, based on 2009 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Major risk factors include high cholesterol, hypertension and a family history of heart disease. The...
You are officially in menopause once you have not menstruated for 12 straight months. The transition period, termed perimenopause, can bring a number of changes triggered by drops in estrogen and other issues related to the general aging process....
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, occurs when cholesterol and other fatty substances build up on artery walls and form plaque. This causes a narrowing of the arteries that interferes with blood flow. The decrease in blood flow to the...
Proper nutrition is important for good health, especially in individuals living with a chronic disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, is a chronic condition that can cause a variety of ailments. While not curable, the disease is treatable,...
After a heart attack, many elements of life are no longer taken for granted. This includes the foods being consumed on a regular basis. Those who may have ignored heart healthy eating tips in the past are suddenly much more attentive to the...
Simvastatin has dual actions in controlling cholesterol. It both reduces low-density lipoprotein, also known as LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, and it increases high-density lipoprotein, also known as HDL, or "good" cholesterol. These two actions can...
Your arteries are pathways that allow your blood to carry oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Excessive pressure in your arteries can cause them to harden -- a condition known as arteriosclerosis. If left untreated, arteriosclerosis can...
Almost 24 million American adults living in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Diabetes can lead to serious complications like heart disease, vision loss and loss of nerve...
Triglycerides are blood fats, and when you get too many in the blood, they build up and cause serious health problems. High triglycerides can significantly boost your heart disease risk, says the Mayo Clinic, also increasing your risk of a heart...
Risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing heart disease include high blood cholesterol, being overweight and having high blood pressure. Making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising and restricting your sodium...
Niacin, or vitamin B3, occurs naturally in a variety of foods, including tuna and peanuts. You can also take niacin supplements, by prescription or over the counter, to treat conditions such as high cholesterol, arthritis and atherosclerosis...
The axiom "Junk in, junk out" pertains to the human body as much as to computer programming. While your body does not produce junk, without the proper diet, your body is not going to function to its fullest potential. Food is simply tasty...
The debate over butter vs. margarine and tub vs. stick is ongoing. Trans fats, rich in margarine, are a type of unhealthy "bad" fat that are well-known for their harmful effects in your body. Margarine, made from vegetable oil, undergoes extensive...
Maintaining brain health involves following a healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet and exercise. While you cannot control some of your risk factors, such as family history or age, you can make a difference in your brain health by avoiding...
Niacinamide and niacin --- two forms of vitamin B3 --- work differently in your body. You can purchase niacinamide without a prescription at drugstores and health food stores, but it may not live up to claims on product labels. Your diet contains...
Cholesterol comes in different forms and from different sources. The body manufactures some of this waxy substance itself and uses it in a variety of important ways in everyday functions. Eating too much low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the "bad"...
Triglycerides are akin to cholesterol. Together, triglycerides and cholesterol form plasma lipids in the bloodstream. On their own, triglycerides are stored in fat cells and used by the body for energy between meals. When levels of triglycerides...
Made from cocoa beans, chocolate is a rich source of naturally occurring antioxidant compounds called flavonoids. The main type of flavonoid in chocolate is flavonols, which are responsible for a wide range of health effects. Research suggests...
Low density lipoproteins, or LDL, is considered the "bad" cholesterol. Excess amounts of LDL cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream can lead to plaque buildup within the arteries. This buildup can cause blockages, which can lead to heart...
Heart disease and cardiovascular disease describe many conditions that cause your heart or blood vessels to function improperly. Heart diseases kill more people than any other disease in the United States and more than all cancers combined....
The arteries are the largest blood vessels in the body. They are responsible for carrying blood, as well as oxygen and nutrients, from the heart to the other areas of the body. When the arteries are healthy, they are strong and flexible and move...
Many meals served in restaurants, as well as processed foods commonly found in most grocery stores, are very high in salt or sodium content. In many cases, this is true even of foods that do not necessarily taste salty, such as breakfast cereals....
Prevent atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries, by following a heart-healthy diet. Eating foods that are low in fat, salt and cholesterol can be a natural way to regulate high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and prevent plaque buildup....
Since 1939, Rice House in Durham, North Carolina, has offered a live-in weight loss program based on the rice diet developed by Walter Kempner, a faculty member of Duke University's Department of Medicine. The Rice Diet integrates meals, medical...
High blood pressure and the buildup of solid fats in the arteries can cause arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and atherosclerosis, or arterial blockages. Your diet may contribute to all of these consequences. To minimize your...
