Coronary disease is believed to be a lifelong process in some people, beginning at an early age and progressing slowly until the vessels become so clogged that the heart muscle no longer gets enough nourishment.
Major Risks of Coronary Heart Disease
- Increasing Age About 80 percent of people who die from coronary heart disease are aged 65 or older.
- Heredity Children with parents who have heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves.
- Cigarette and tobacco smokers’ risk of developing heart disease is twice that of non-smokers. Smokers who have a heart attack are more likely to die within an hour of the heart attack than non-smokers. Studies have shown that after five years of giving up smoking, the risk of developing heart disease is the same as for someone who never smoked!!!
- High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart causing it to enlarge and weaken over time.
- The risk of coronary heart disease increases as blood cholesterol levels increase. This is considered the major cause of heart disease, the one some people are most worried about.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is produced in the , the adrenal glands and reproductive organs. The liver produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body.
Cholesterol is a natural and necessary component of your body cells and many hormones. In cell membranes, cholesterol keeps membranes fluid and functional. It is transported in the bloodstream to their destinations. Cholesterol is not totally a bad thing.
Cholesterol becomes bad when high levels are present. High levels in the bloodstream cause hardening of the arteries, premature coronary heart disease and many other vascular disease problems.
How to control Cholesterol?
Eat fish, poultry and meats. These foods offer protein but too much protein will give you more saturated fat (cholesterol) than you need.
Eat fish at least twice a week. Fish is lower in fat than most meats. The fat contained in fish contains beneficial oils, which protect blood vessels.
Eat less high-fat dairy products. High fat dairy products are sour cream, cream cheese, hard cheese, processed cheese, butter, whipped cream and whole milk. Some low-fat dairy products are yoghurt, cottage cheese, low-fat or non-fat milk.
Reduce the amount of fat you use in your food. Steam vegetables instead of frying them. Also, try not to cover your vegetables with butter or margarine.
Grains and bread products. Choose a balanced diet with adequate carbohydrate foods at each meal and keep the fat intake low.
Eat more fruits and vegetables. Vegetables and fruits contain very little fat. They are full of nutrients and fibres.
