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While it is the most common direct killer of men and women over the age of 50, few people even realize that they have Coronary Heart Disease before it is too late. This is because it can lay dormant for decades, with the first visible coronary heart disease symptom being a sudden heart attack.
Since half of healthy men and one third of healthy women over 40 will likely develop the disease, it is important to learn more about it, as well as how diet and exercise can help to reduce the risk factors leading to the disease. |
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How to Recognize and Prevent Coronary Heart Disease Risks.
Coronary heart disease, or CHD, is the result of built up plaque in the walls of the arteries that supply the heart muscles. After long term progression that sometimes takes decades, these vessels will rupture. Between the reduction in the number of vessels that are still reaching the heart and the coagulation of blood as it clots to stop internal bleeding, this will lead to a limitation of blood flow to the heart.
Unfortunately, without regular cardiograms and other expensive procedures, the disease is difficult, and sometimes impossible to diagnose, until the first cardiac arrest, as this is usually the first displayed coronary heart disease symptom.
Luckily, however, there are ways to prevent the occurrence of such an event. Specifically maintaining a healthy diet throughout your life can reduce the risk factor, decrease the severity of plaque build up, and even help to treat the disease after an episode occurs. For those looking to reverse the onset of the disease, there are several particular diets that, when coupled with a regular cardio exercise program, can reduce risk of death from the disease by up to 25%.
A complete vegetarian diet, for example, cuts out a great deal of fat and cholesterol that causes plaque build up and can have significant results on fighting coronary heart disease.
Another diet that has shown promise in lowering the rate of death among CHD patients is the Cretan Mediterranean style diet. The diet of this region consists mainly of olive oil, bread, fruits, vegetables, and moderate amounts of wine, lamb, sausage, and goat cheese (fat-rich animal products that do not contain large amounts of saturated fat).
There are also several options for individuals at a high risk factor for development of CHD who wish to look undertake preventative measures. Start by eating a diet rich in fiber and “good” fats, like omega oils in fish. Steer clear of all saturated and trans fats that build plaque inside the blood vessels. Also, start a regimen of taking one aspirin every day. Studies have shown that those at high risk for Coronary Heart Disease are less likely to have severe cases that result in heart attack or stroke when using aspirin therapy methods.
Don’t smoke, maintain careful control of cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, and above all, do not allow yourself to become excessively overweight since all of these can lead to further risk of developing CHD, which puts you at a much higher risk for death from the disease.
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