|
The lifetime risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) after age 40 is 49% for
males, 32% for women. Efforts to reduce controllable risk factors, including diet and
physical activity, should be taken to decrease CAD risk.
Controllable risk factors for CAD:
High blood cholesterol:
- 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 atherosclerosis (a narrowing of
the 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: 60 or higher
High risk: lower than 40 |
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.
The U.S. government recently recommended treating high cholesterol more aggressively in people with diabetes. Click
here to read more.
Hypertension: 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.
| Blood Pressure Category |
Systolic(mm Hg) |
|
Diastolic(mm Hg) |
| Normal |
less than 120 |
and |
less than 80 |
| Prehypertension |
120-139 |
or |
80-89 |
| High |
|
|
|
| Stage 1 |
140-159 |
or |
90-99 |
| Stage 2 |
160 or higher |
or |
100 or higher |
* Source: American Heart Association
Smoking: Smoking significantly increases heart disease and stroke
risk. Specifically, smoking causes atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries), 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 ("good") cholesterol levels.
CONTINUED
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