Several risk factors for coronary heart disease depend on lifestyle habits, and are therefore preventable. The more of these risk factors a person has, the more likely they are to develop coronary heart disease.
What is Coronary Heart Disease?
Coronary heart disease refers to a heart disorder caused by disease of the coronary arteries. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood and deliver it with vital nutrients and oxygen. When these arteries become partially or totally blocked with fatty deposits (known as atheromas, or plaques), the blood supply to the heart is obstructed.
The process that causes blocked arteries is called atherosclerosis, and this can lead to the painful condition of angina, heart attack (myocardial infarction), and death. Although some people have a genetic predisposition to developing atherosclerosis, it is very often caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices.
The Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease
- Cigarette Smoking - Smoking decreases the oxygen supply to the heart, increases blood pressure, and thickens the blood, making it more likely to clot. It also narrows the coronary arteries by causing fatty deposits to form on the artery walls, which restricts blood flow to the heart.
- High Blood Cholesterol - Too much cholesterol (a type of body fat) in the blood is unhealthy. Excess cholesterol builds up in the coronary arteries, causing atherosclerosis. A diet high in saturated fat leads to an increase in levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol). Foods containing dietary cholesterol but which are low in saturated fat, such as eggs, only have a small, clinically insignificant effect on blood cholesterol levels.
- High Blood Pressure - High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when blood hits the artery walls too forcefully as it is pumped around the body by the heart. An unhealthy diet, smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight and too much stress can raise blood pressure. Prolonged hypertension weakens the arteries due to the added pressure on them, and increases their susceptibility to atherosclerosis.
- Physical Inactivity - Physical activity is important for strengthening the heart muscle and improving its efficiency in circulating blood around the body. Lack of exercise increases other risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. Regular aerobic exercise helps to reduce these risks.
- Obesity - Obesity is when a person has excessive body fat, usually caused by a diet too high in calories, and a lifestyle with too little physical activity. Too much body fat makes conditions that increase the risk of coronary heart disease more likely (notably hypertension, diabetes and high blood cholesterol), and places unnecessary strain on the heart and blood vessels.
- Diabetes - Diabetes mellitus, or type 2 diabetes, is a condition when blood sugar levels are too high (known as hyperglycaemia) due to insulin resistance, or too little insulin production. Diabetes can develop because of a variety of reasons, including obesity and physical inactivity. In the long term, diabetes may contribute to coronary heart disease, as it increases the risk of circulatory problems.
There are many risk factors for blocked arteries and coronary heart disease that can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle changes. A healthy diet is of particular importance. For more information, read The Best Foods to Eat for a Healthy Heart.
Resources:
- American Heart Association. “Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease.“ (Accessed 12th February 2009)
- Patient UK. “Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases.” (Accessed 12th February 2009)
Sharon Kirby - Sharon is a freelance health writer and contributes to various print and online publications. Writing credits include Nursing Times, Good ...
