Monday, March 1, 2010

Heart Diseases

The high blood cholesterol often causes blockages in the heart and thus leads to coronary artery disease. The high cholesterol clumps together in the arteries ultimately leading to the narrow down of arteries resulting in Coronary Artery Disease .Learn more on this topic to be astray of Coronary Artery Disease.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. It occurs when a blockage prevents the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. Chest pain often associated with the disease is called angina. Other symptoms Coronary heart disease (CHD) include, shortness of breath and on occasion heart attack. Preventing coronary artery disease (CAD) can enhance longevity and learning coronary heart disease facts may be the first step.

Symptoms of CAD

Different people experience angina or chest pain differently. The pain may be mild or severe. In addition angina may manifest itself in typical or atypical symptoms. Atypical angina may be located in the chest, left side, or may be experienced as pain in the abdomen, back or arm.

Coronary artery disease treatment medicines may help Typical angina pain is felt as a squeezing sensation under the sternum Additionally some people report feeling palpitations, a irregular, rapid thumping of the heart. Shortness of breath may be a symptom of coronary heart disease. Further shortness of breath can be a sign of congestive heart failure where a lack of oxygen has stifled the hearts ability to circulate the blood. Sometimes this is accompanied by swelling of the extremities; hands and feet.

High blood cholesterol is a sure short cut to coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease risks and coronary heart disease treatments begin with coronary heart disease prevention!

Causes of Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease risks occur when blockages occur in the arteries. One factor that significantly contributes to blockages is high cholesterol levels in the blood. Lead to blockages and plaque formations Other factors that may be considered causative include high blood pressure, and some studies suggest, that infections that lead to swelling may cause arteries to close.

Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease

Some factors that contribute to are that pose risks to developing CAD are preventable, and some are not. Preventable risks can be reduced by making healthy lifestyle choices such as frequent exercise, reducing stress, stopping smoking and losing weight if you’re obese. Other risks that are uncontrollable are things like the aging process, a family history of CAD, Diabetes (though some things may help) high levels of blood homocystein levels and menopause.

Why is Cholesterol a Risk Factor for Coronary Heart Disease?

Cholesterol that serves a purpose in cell development and hormone balances has a sticky, fatty composition. It also lacks the ability to dissolve in the blood. When concentrations of cholesterol become too high particles clump together and can stick to the walls of arteries. When this occurs, the arteries begin to narrow thereby increasing the risk of CHD, and heart attack.