Cardiovascular Disease Facts

Caused by gradual build-up of fatty deposits and cholesterol in blood vessels- on the walls of coronary arteries and it becomes harder for arteries to provide your heart with blood and oxygen.

Over time the artery may be so narrow that it can’t deliver enough blood and oxygen to your heart, this can lead to a pain or discomfort on your chest – angina.

Heart attack occurs when your heart is starved of blood and oxygen due to the blood clot- formed by fatty material atheroma, blocking the arteries.

Stroke is caused by the blockage of an artery carrying blood to the brain. This can affect your body’s functions and mental processes.

Cardiovascular disease is caused by gradual build-up of fatty deposits and cholesterol in blood vessels- on the walls of coronary arteries

Risk Factors:

• An unhealthy diet and a diet high in saturated fats.

• Obesity.

• Diabetes.

• A sedentary lifestyle.

• Smoking.

• Too much alcohol.

• High blood pressure.

• High cholesterol.

• Being poor, a chronically stressful life, anxiety and depression.

• Getting older.

• Gender: Men tend to be at greater risk than premenopausal women, and same after menopause.

• Ethnic origin: African and South Asian people are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Nutrition:

The way you eat has a direct influence on developing heart disease and stroke. A diet low in fat – especially saturated and trans fats and cholesterol, moderate in sodium, low in refined carbohydrates and high in fruits and vegetables, high in whole grains and other foods high in fiber, high in fish – Omega 3 essential fatty acids is recommended.

heart disease and stroke. A diet low in fat - especially saturated and trans fats and cholesterol, moderate in sodium, low in refined carbohydrates

Glycemic Index and Heart Disease:

High GI foods can cause spikes in blood sugar and can lead to risk of arterial damage and heart disease over time through increased inflammation, glucose bonding to proteins in the body and damaging them-protein glycation, making the blood stickier and more likely to clot- increased coagulation, free radical damage- increased oxidative stress. High GI diet is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease of between 20 – 100%.

Steps to Take to Fight the Disease:

• Quit smoking as smoking is the best mate of heart disease.

• Eat healthy, lose weight and control diabetes to reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

• Make simple dietary modifications which reduce exposure to saturated fats and cholesterol.

• Exercise! Walk half an hour every day or find other types of exercise you will enjoy : cycling , swimming, classes at a gym.

• Keep your blood pressure under control.

• Floss your teeth regularly as oral health affects arterial health.

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

• Do not drink alcohol more than 1 or 2 glasses a day.

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Cardiovascular Disease Facts- References:

J Mackay, G Mensah, Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke. 2004 World Health Organization, Geneva: Cardiovascular Disease Facts .

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke. 2005. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Bethesda, Maryland.

Wvdhhr.org/bph/cvd/page7.htm: Cardiovascular Disease Facts .

R De Caterina, A Zampolli, S Del Turco, R Madonna, M Massaro. Nutritional mechanisms that influence cardiovascular disease.

Brand-Miller, et al. The Glycemic Index and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Current Atherosclerosis Reports 2007;9:479-485.