How to prevent from getting coronary artery disease?

Question

my parents and my sister and one of my aunts had stents in there hearts.. i know its can be heredity what can i do prevent this from happening from me? and which diet would be good for me? atkins? south beach? or low calorie diet?

Answer 1

"It's important to know your risk factors and be informed about your family history. If you have diabetes or if you have a family history of vascular disease, you are more likely to have health problems from vascular disease.

The following lifestyle changes are key to reducing your risk:

~Don't smoke. If you smoke, your doctor can help you make a plan to stop and give you advice on how to avoid starting again. If you don't smoke, don't start!

~Exercise. Before you start, talk to your doctor about the right kind of exercise for you. Try to work up to exercising 4 to 6 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. Regular exercise will help to strengthen your cardiovascular system and keep your weight under control. It can also lower your blood pressure and reduce your level of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol that clogs the arteries).

~Eat right. Follow a healthy diet that is low in sodium (salt) and saturated fat. Don't cook with salt, avoid prepared foods that are high in sodium, and don't add salt when you're eating. Keep fat calories to 30% or less of the total calories you take in during a day. Your doctor can help you create a diet plan that is right for you."

Answer 2

Coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease (CAD), ischaemic heart disease, atherosclerotic heart disease, is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) with oxygen and nutrients. While the symptoms and signs of coronary heart disease are noted in the advanced state of disease, most individuals with coronary heart disease show no evidence of disease for decades as the disease progresses before the first onset of symptoms, often a "sudden" heart attack, finally arise. After decades of progression, some of these atheromatous plaques may rupture and (along with the activation of the blood clotting system) start limiting blood flow to the heart muscle. The disease is the most common cause of sudden death.

Prevention

Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease in the Western world. Prevention centers on the modifiable risk factors, which include decreasing cholesterol levels, addressing obesity and hypertension, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, making healthy dietary choices, and stopping smoking. There is some evidence that lowering uric acid and homocysteine levels may contribute. In diabetes mellitus, there is little evidence that blood sugar control actually improves cardiac risk. Some recommend a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends "low to moderate alcohol intake" to reduce risk of coronary heart disease.

An increasingly growing number of other physiological markers and homeostatic mechanisms are currently under scientific investigation. Among these markers are low density lipoprotein and asymmetric dimethylarginine. Patients with CHD and those trying to prevent CHD are advised to avoid fats that are readily oxidized (e.g., saturated fats and trans-fats), limit carbohydrates and processed sugars to reduce production of Low density lipoproteins while increasing High density lipoproteins, keeping blood pressure normal, exercise and stop smoking. These measures limit the progression of the disease. Recent studies have shown that dramatic reduction in LDL levels can cause mild regression of coronary heart disease.

Exercise

Separate to the question of the benefits of exercise; it is unclear whether doctors should spend time counseling patients to exercise. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, found 'insufficient evidence' to recommend that doctors counsel patients on exercise. However, the American Heart Association, based on a non-systematic review, recommends that doctors counsel patients on exercise-

Answer 3

Low carb diets are the way to go. Atkins was a pioneer but he allowed too much processed artificial foods. Even so people on Atkins do lower their cholesterol numbers while eating a high fat diet. Control  your insulin by limiting your carbs and you will also be preventing heart disease and extending your life.