Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the primary killer of men and women in the U.S. resulting in a half million deaths annually or about 14,000 per day. You may know that you have some of the symptoms. Knowledge of the symptoms and treatment of this disease just might save your life. What can be done? Plenty!
WHAT IS CHD?
Coronary heart disease is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. This is caused by plaque sticking to the artery walls. Eventually the blockage slows blood flow in one or more arteries that supply the heart, resulting in a heart attack.
SYMPTOMS OF CHD
1. Chest pain, which can spread to the neck and arms.
2. Light-headedness, fainting
3. Sweating
4. Nausea
5. Shortness of breath
6. Abdominal pain
7. Anxiety
8. Weakness, fatigue
9. Paleness
CAUSES OF CHD
1. Fatty meats and dairy products raise blood cholesterol levels, which contribute to the
plaque that eventually blocks arteries.
2. Smoking decreases oxygen available to the heart.
3. Obesity causes serious multiple risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and
high blood pressure. It also causes the heart to work harder.
4. Emotional stress raises risk of coronary artery disease and angina.
5. High blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol can lead to heart attacks.
6. Lack of physical exercise depletes cardiovascular fitness.
7. Ignoring a family history of heart disease may result in CHD.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Treatment usually consists of performing coronary bypass surgery, or installing "stents," to keep arteries open. Doctors commonly prescribe the following drugs.
1. Beta-blockers-ease the heart's workload
2. Nitroglycerin-widen blood vessels and increase blood flow
3. Calcium channel blockers-relax arteries
4. Anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors, aspirin-prevent blood clotting
5. ACE inhibitors-lower blood pressure
6. Statins lower LDL levels (bad cholesterol)
PREVENTION (LIFESTYLE CHANGES)
1. Reduce sugar and salt
2. Eat a heart healthy diet and control obesity
3. Stop smoking
4. 30 minutes of exercise a day is necessary for cardiovascular health. If you are
overweight, experts say you should get 60-90 minutes a day.
5. Reduce stress with yoga, meditation, laughter and/or prayer.
6. Eliminate hydrogenated oils such as margarine and commercial bakery goods.
7. See your doctor regularly.
NUTRITION
http://www.americanheart.org/pres enter.jhtml?identifier=1200000 gives great information and a free personalized grocery list.
1. Use unprocessed foods. Food should come from the earth, not a factory.
2. Include fresh fruits, vegetables, and dried beans.
3. Cut down on meat and dairy products because of their saturated fat content.
4. Eat broiled fish, especially fatty fish like salmon, which contain omega 3 fats.
5. Get plenty of fiber from bran, oatmeal, or pectin in fruits. Also vegetables.
6. Eat small amounts of almonds and walnuts for their beneficial fats.
7. Apple cider vinegar in apple juice or water twice a day helps to dissolve plaque by
intensifying friendly bacteria to improve cholesterol reduction.
8. B-complex vitamins help eliminate homocysteine, a deadly byproduct of protein metabolism.
This is very serious and accounts for 30% of CHD cases.
9. Vitamin E helps stop oxidation of fats in cell membranes, which prevents damage to artery
linings.
10. Eat a balanced diet from all four food groups.
RESOURCES
For the latest studies on CHD go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/.
For support groups online go to http://dailystrength.org/c/Coronary-Heart-Disease/su pport-group.
For additional information visit http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/heart-health or http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medlineplus.html