Coronary Heart Disease - Your Heart Is Your Responsibility

In the world of disease, there is none asexercise, and elimination of tobacco use.
dangerous to the American population asSaturated fats and trans fats common in red
coronary heart disease. Claiming nearly a millionmeats and fried and processed foods are big
lives annually, coronary heart disease is responsiblecontributors to clogged arteries; replace at least
for more deaths than the next seven causes offifty percent of the red meat you eat with
non-violent death combined. Controlling andfish--especially wild salmon, tuna, sardines and
preventing heart disease deserves the fullmackerel.
attention of both the US medical community, andGrill or roast foods instead of frying them, and
of every individual American. Is there anythingreplace the processed snacks with fresh fruit and
you can do to reduce your won chances ofvegetables. Blueberries are showing exceptional
developing coronary heart disease?promise in ridding the body of bad LDL cholesterol.
Because coronary heart disease is the result ofControlling your salt intake will help lower your
atherosclerosis, or the build up fatty "plaque" onblood pressure, and decrease your risk of
the arterial walls, narrowing them and limiting ordeveloping coronary heart disease.
blocking the flow of blood to the heart, keepingIf you don't exercise regularly, you are inviting
the arteries free of plaque is essential tocoronary heart disease. You don't need to start
preventing coronary heart disease.training for marathons; just add a little activity
There are factors which can increase your risk ofwhere you can so that you are up and moving
coronary heart disease; it is hereditary, and iffor at least thirty minutes each day. Start planning
someone in your family developed it, especiallydaily walks; climb stairs whenever you can; park
before they reached fifty, your chances ofat the furthest end of the parking lot at work. If
developing it are higher than normal.you go to the mall, park as far as you can from
Your risk will also increase if you have high bloodthe stores in which you intend to shop.
pressure or diabetes, are obese or do not getFor those in whom coronary heart disease has
adequate exercise, or have too much badalready developed, medication and surgery may
cholesterol and too little good cholesterol.be indicated. Angioplasty to clear blocked arteries
Post-menopausal women are at greater risk forby implanting them with inflatable balloons is quite
coronary heart disease than pre-menopausal ones.common; but in very serious cases of coronary
The primary weapons in the battle againstheart disease, heart bypass surgery may be
developing coronary heart disease are diet andnecessary.