It’s scary to know that Heart Disease is responsible for 25% of deaths in Australia (1). However, it’s comforting to know that we can reduce the risk of developing Heart Disease by making some simple healthy lifestyle changes.
Heart Disease is categorised by different conditions, such as Coronary Heart Disease, Heart Attack, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Heart Failure, and Angina. In this article, we are going to explain and look at ways of reducing Coronary Heart Disease.
Coronary Heart Disease is a build up of fatty deposits on the artery walls. The fatty deposits, over time, can thicken, calcify and create a narrowing in the arteries. This reduces the blood flow to the heart, and as a result, deprives the heart muscle of oxygen (1). This process is called atherosclerosis, and can start early in life, and be well-developed by middle age (2).
Coronary Heart Disease can cause the following conditions, and sometimes multiple conditions combined:
- Angina, commonly referred to as Chest Pain (1)
- Heart Failure, the gradual failure of the heart’s ability to pump blood (1)
- Heart Attack or Myocardial Infarction, the death of the heart tissue (1)
- Cardiac Arrest, the sudden stopping of the heart (1)
As we can see from the above conditions, Coronary Heart Disease can cause serious problems and is a life-threatening disease. It is important to be educated about reducing the risk of this disease and make the necessary lifestyle changes. Some suggestions are listed below:
- Avoid smoking, as well as second-hand smoke (2).
- Maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels by eating a well balanced diet (2). Our goal is to have your cholesterol between 5.2 and 6.2 as long as your good and bad cholesterol are in the correct ratios. Please talk to Wayne if you have any queries about this at your next appointment. To help with your diet, most of you would have received a Blood Group Diet or Wellbeing Menu Planner at one of your appointments. If you would like a copy of the Menu Planner, please scroll to the end of this article.
- Maintain healthy blood pressure levels through eating a good diet, and reducing stress in your life where possible (2).
- Maintain a healthy body weight by exercising and eating a well balanced diet (2). If you require assistance with this step, our Gaining Slimness and Concepts of Health Programs will guide you through improving your diet and help you establish an exercise routine.
- Take steps to reduce your risk of Diabetes, by following all of the steps above (2). People with Type 2 Diabetes are 2 – 6 times more likely to have a heart attack. Furthermore, heart attacks tend to be fatal more often in diabetic patients (3).
- Ensure you are getting sufficient amounts of exercise, as this strengthens the heart muscle, and also helps to maintain a healthy body weight (2). As outlined in our previous article titled ‘Gym Junkie or Not – Strength Training is Good For Your Health!’ – a basic exercise routine can be started at home with little to no equipment. If you wish to read this article again please scroll to the end of this article.
Our Centre is able to offer services to help you to create a healthy lifestyle, whether it is to quit smoking, establish a healthy diet, or lose weight. If you are concerned about how your lifestyle choices and diet are affecting your risk of Coronary Heart Disease, please phone our Centre on 07 4128 2899 to speak to one of our team members about which service would best suit your needs.
Some simple choices today could prevent you from becoming a Heart Disease statistic!
Have a Wonderful Week and Be Well,
From the Team at Hervey Bay Wellbeing, Anti- Aging and Longevity Centre
References:
- ABC Health & Wellbeing, 2003. Heart Disease. [Online] Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/stories/2003/02/27/1831271.htm#h [Accessed 17 November 2011].
- Heart Foundation. Cardiovascular Conditions. [Online] Available at: http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/cardiovascular-conditions/Pages/coronary-heart-disease.aspx [Accessed 17 November 2011].
- Gower, T. How Diabetes Affects The Heart. [Online] Available at: www.howstuffworks.com/diseases/how-diabetes-affects-the-heart1.html [Accessed 21 November 2011].
