PREVENTION OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
OR PREDISPOSING FACTORS FOR HARDENING OF THE ARTERIES AND ITS PREVENTION

Hardening of the arteries is a normal degenerative process involving all of the arteries in the body. When it involves the arteries supplying the heart, ie. the coronary arteries it leads to heart attacks and loss of heart muscle and often sudden death. One and a half million Americans will suffer a heart attack this next year and in about 300,000 of them the results will be fatal, unexpected and a first occurrence. Hardening of the arteries occurs in nearly all persons, both men and women and it is worsened by many predisposing factors.

• A very strong family history or genetic predisposition. 
• Hardening of the arteries is most prominent in the premature presentation of symptoms related to the heart, the brain or the legs.

A strong family history of heart disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction or heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, hypertension, diabetes, stroke is a very strong predictor of premature difficulties. For example, if your father had a heart attack or had a heart operation involving coronary bypass surgery, the chances of his children presenting with a similar problem 10 years earlier is much higher. A strong second predictor of premature hardening of the arteries involves how the individual metabolizes fats. Page 2 Hardening of the Arteries

If one has high cholesterol values, high low density lipoproteins (LDL) or very low high density lipoproteins (HDL) the risk of heart disease is also markedly increased. High triglycerides, high Apolipoprotein B100 and elevated Lp(a), a newer factor, also are influential in the premature hardening processes.

Diabetes is also a major factor in premature hardening of the arteries. The development of diabetes as an adult greatly increases one's risk of developing heart attacks, strokes and the hardening process in the arteries. About 20% of patients who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery have diabetes.

Many other variables are known to influence the hardening process. Smoking is known to increase the risk of hardening of the arteries. Smoke may be from cigarette smoking, cigar smoking, or pipe smoking. All of these increase the risk of premature hardening of the arteries. Second hand smoke is also an increased risk.

High blood pressure is also a marked problem. If the blood pressure is not controlled better than 135/80, there is an increased risk of developing the hardening process (atherosclerosis).

Women are often protected from hardening of the arteries until they become menopausal. Rapidly they catch up over the next 10 years following their menopause. The use of estrogens is very helpful in women to prevent premature hardening of the arteries. Women have less successful results with coronary artery bypass, angioplasty, stenting and with heart attacks.

Other softer variables which are related to premature hardening of the arteries include lack of exercise. Consequently, staying in good shape and exercising several times a week is important. The exercise should be for a sufficient time, such as 45 minutes to an hour with aerobic capability. Walking, running, swimming, bicycling are all activities which are important considerations.

Being overweight is also very harmful. Unfortunately, most Americans are 10% overweight and consequently have an increased risk of premature hardening of the arteries.

Unrelieved stress is also an important factor. For example, one's job likely causes some stress. However, stress is a part of all of our lives. The stress that is unrelieved and not handled well is the causative factor in hardening of the arteries.

Eating the wrong foods will also be harmful to the body. A reasonable diet, such as low unsaturated fats is recommended to help control the increased difficulties with the hardening process.

Elevated uric acid in your blood will increase the process of hardening of the arteries. An elevated homocystine level also will increase the process. These two elevated blood studies can be treated with medicines if so determined by your physician.

A combination of several of these factors, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise and smoking, increase the risk of premature hardening of the arteries dramatically. An aggressive attempt should be made to control these variables.

The statements provided in this report are for information only.  This is not intended to be medical advice.  Each individual may react differently depending on a variety of circumstances.  It is therefore imperative you consult your physician prior to following any of the contents of this report.  CardioDoc.net and CardioDoc.org disclaim any and all liability.