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Rehabilitation for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) should focus on
modifying dietary and lifestyle factors that contribute to heart disease and drug therapy
to lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, etc.
Lower Cholesterol Levels:
- Low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol): an overabundance of LDL cholesterol causes
atherosclerosis a narrowing of coronary arteries due to plaque build up on artery walls.
Blood clots can form on plaque surfaces, further blocking the blood supply to the
myocardium (heart muscle) and resulting in myocardial infarction (heart attack).
- High-density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol): HDL carries cholesterol away from the heart
back to the liver where it is eventually removed from the body. High HDL cholesterol
removes excess LDL cholesterol from artery walls, reducing arteriosclerosis (narrowing of
arteries).
| Total
cholesterol (mg/dL) |
LDL
cholesterol (mg/dL) |
HDL
cholesterol (mg/dL) |
Ideal: Less than 200
Borderline high risk: 200-239
High risk: 240 and over |
Ideal: less than 130
Borderline high risk: 130-159
High risk: 160 or higher |
Ideal: 35 or higher
High risk: lower than 35 |
LDL cholesterol levels can be reduced by limiting consumption of saturated fats
(whole-fat dairy products, cheeses, red meats), increasing physical activity, and weight
reduction when appropriate. Increased consumption of monounsaturated fats (olive oil,
nuts, fatty fish) has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol,
lowering CAD risk. Drug therapy for cholesterol reduction includes statins, bile acid
resins, nicotinic acid and fibrates.
Lower Blood Pressure: Hypertension (high blood pressure) results from arterial
narrowing, which causes blood to be pumped with greater force against the artery walls.
Hypertension can be corrected by dietary changes (i.e., avoiding salt, increasing
consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products). Drug therapy includes beta
blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
| (mm
Hg) |
Ideal |
Normal |
High
Normal |
Hypertension |
| Systolic (top
number) |
Less than 120 |
Less than 130 |
130-139 |
140 or higher |
Diastolic
(bottom number) |
Less than 80 |
Less than 85 |
85-89 |
90 or higher |
Quit Smoking: Smoking causes atherosclerosis, thrombosis (blood clots), coronary
artery spasm (abnormal constriction of the muscle fibers of the coronary artery) cardiac
arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) and other disorders which increase the risk of myocardial
infarction (heart attack). Further, research shows smoking to reduce HDL cholesterol
levels.
Lose Weight: Obesity increases strain on the heart, raises blood pressure and
cholesterol, and increases diabetes risk. Weight reduction can be achieved with
modifications to diet and increased physical activity.
Increase Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps control blood cholesterol
levels, decreasing the risk of obesity or diabetes, and lowering blood pressure levels in
some patients.
Reduce Stress: Research indicates a possible relationship between stress and
CAD. Hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cholesterol are associated with stress,
as are an increased tendency to smoke, gain weight, and/or decrease physical activity.
Patients should be encouraged to minimize stress and seek professional counseling or
stress management when appropriate.
Updated: Updated: February 29, 2008
Return to Coronary Artery Disease Overview |
