What Causes Coronary Heart Disease?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Coronary artery disease is caused by plaque buildup in the wall of the arteries that supply blood to the heart (called coronary arteries). Plaque is made up of cholesterol deposits. Plaque buildup causes the inside of the arteries to narrow over time. This process is called atherosclerosis.

What is the main cause of heart disease?

High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including: Diabetes. Overweight and obesity.

What is the most common cause of coronary heart disease?

A buildup of fatty plaques in your arteries (atherosclerosis) is the most common cause of coronary artery disease.

What are 5 risk factors that lead to coronary heart disease?

The traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease are high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, family history, diabetes, smoking , being post-menopausal for women and being older than 45 for men, according to Fisher. Obesity may also be a risk factor.

What foods cause coronary heart disease?

  • meat pies.
  • sausages and fatty cuts of meat.
  • butter.
  • ghee – a type of butter often used in Indian cooking.
  • lard.
  • cream.
  • hard cheese.
  • cakes and biscuits.

Can coronary heart disease be cured?

Treating coronary heart disease (CHD)

Coronary heart disease cannot be cured but treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the chances of problems such as heart attacks. Treatment can include: lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and stopping smoking.

How long can a person live with coronary heart disease?

At age 50 women can expect to live 7.9 years and men 6.7 years with heart disease . The average woman experiences heart disease onset three years older and heart attacks 4.4 years older than men.

What 3 foods cardiologists say to avoid?

  • Bacon, sausage and other processed meats. Hayes, who has a family history of coronary disease, is a vegetarian. ...
  • Potato chips and other processed, packaged snacks. ...
  • Dessert. ...
  • Too much protein. ...
  • Fast food. ...
  • Energy drinks. ...
  • Added salt. ...
  • Coconut oil.

Who is dying from heart disease?

Coronary heart disease affects about 18.2 million Americans age 20 and older, and it killed nearly 366,000 in 2017 . Heart disease is the number one cause of death for most racial and ethnic groups. In 2015, it was responsible for 23.7 percent of deaths in white people and 23.5 percent in Black people.

What does a heart blockage feel like?

The symptoms of an artery blockage include chest pain and tightness, and shortness of breath . Imagine driving through a tunnel. On Monday, you encounter a pile of rubble. There is a narrow gap, big enough to drive through.

What are 4 risk factors for heart disease?

  • Increasing Age. The majority of people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 or older. ...
  • Male gender. ...
  • Heredity (including race) ...
  • Tobacco smoke. ...
  • High blood cholesterol. ...
  • High blood pressure. ...
  • Physical inactivity. ...
  • Obesity and being overweight.

How does stress increase coronary heart disease risk?

Studies suggest that the high levels of cortisol from long-term stress can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure . These are common risk factors for heart disease. This stress can also cause changes that promote the buildup of plaque deposits in the arteries.

What is the number one risk factor for heart disease?

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Can you eat eggs on a cardiac diet?

In general, people at risk for heart disease, who have diabetes or who have had a heart attack should pay close attention to the amount of cholesterol in their diet, she said. But that's not to say cholesterol makes eggs a harmful choice .

What are the 3 foods to never eat?

  1. Sugary drinks. Added sugar is one of the worst ingredients in the modern diet. ...
  2. Most pizzas. ...
  3. White bread. ...
  4. Most fruit juices. ...
  5. Sweetened breakfast cereals. ...
  6. Fried, grilled, or broiled food. ...
  7. Pastries, cookies, and cakes. ...
  8. French fries and potato chips.

Which fruit is best for heart?

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are jam-packed with important nutrients that play a central role in . Berries are also rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which protect against the oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to the development of heart disease ( 12 ).

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.