If you have risk factors for heart disease, then you should see a health care provider. It might be recommended that you undergo a calcium screening. This can be done through a cardiovascular heart scan. It will take images of your heart to determine if you have arterial plaque deposits. It is also a good idea to do so if you have had any heart procedures or open heart surgery. You can have plaque in your arteries. Once you know that you have plaque in your arteries, you will be in increased risk for developing heart attacks.

Some of the most common risk factors exist is developing arterial plaque and then a heart attack. However, these are also risk factors for so many other diseases such as liver cancer. It is important for the person to consider what they are doing or not doing, can lead to serious problems with their health in the long term.

One risk factor to look at is smoking. Smoking is the most serious conditions and can develop into heart disease. If you smoke you are more likely to put yourself at risk of heart disease than someone who does not. The reason is because the chemicals in cigarette smoke can affect the blood. It can cause blood flowing into sluggish and lacks the normal amount of oxygen in the red blood cells. Blood that is moving slowly will not provide nutrients to the tissues in time will also have a greater chance of depositing cholesterol in the walls of the artery. This situation is further complicated by the contents of the smoke thinning the walls of the artery. This is all a recipe for disaster as there is decreased oxygen during this process.

Another big risk factor that can contribute to arterial plaque and a heart attack is lack of exercise. Doctors have been telling us for years that we need to exercise. The reason for this is exercise has been shown to increase the strength of the wall of the artery. When an arterial plaque forms, it is deep within the vessel wall of the artery. As it continues to grow in size, it can thin the layer of the artery wall as it stretches to compensate for the plaque growing inside of it.

Eventually the wall will become too thin and burst. This is a serious condition that can happen in almost any artery of the body. So imagine this happening within the brain or heart. Instead exercise is advised by doctors because it strengthens the arterial wall and makes it hard for the layer to become thin and burst. This is great prevention for a heart attack.

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Three factors that will affect your cholesterol and your health

Cholesterol is as much a part of life as breathing itself. Our bodies make cholesterol in order to keep the entire system working. What most people aren't aware of is that not only are there two types of cholesterol, but there are various factors that dictate the amount of good and bad cholesterol in our body. These levels of good cholesterol, (HDL) and bad cholesterol, (LDL) are influenced by external factors that have a big impact on our ability to stay healthy and avoid disease.

Heredity and the cholesterol puzzle

Let's face it; there isn't much a person can do about the genes in their family. Like the saying goes, "you can choose your friends, but not your family". Unfortunately, with the family part, that includes your genes. It also means the propensity toward elevated levels of low density lipoprotein or (LDL) cholesterol. Because of genetic pre-disposition, many people struggle with this problem from a young age. The liver is also a contributor to high levels of (LDL). The liver works while we sleep and creates bad cholesterol into the blood stream. According to research, stress is a contributor to your livers production of bad cholesterol.

What can I do to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol?

Exercise has been proven to help to reduce high levels of bad cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, moderate exercise on a daily basis can reduce (LDL) by burning up calories. Here is the best part; moderate exercise is defined as an activity lasting up to twenty minutes a day that stimulates the cardio vascular system by increasing heart rate. Translated, this can be something as simple as a twenty to thirty minute walk with the dog. Not only are you supplementing good heart health by exercising the heart muscle, but exercise also helps foster higher levels of (HDL) known as high density lipoprotein. Our bodies need levels above 40mg/dl of (HDL) to counteract the bad cholesterol in our arteries. This good cholesterol actually helps remove particulates of bad cholesterol from the walls of the arteries.

The third factor to watch for is diet

This third factor relating to healthy cholesterol levels has to do with the foods we consume. More evidence is emerging from clinical studies that show the efficacy of Omega 3 fish oil in contributing to fighting bad cholesterol. Omega 3 comes in various forms but the fatty acids found in cold water fish contain high concentrations of EPA and DHA. These fatty acids, according to the American Heart Association, have shown the ability to increase the good cholesterol by up to eight percent over a period of a few months. In addition to increasing your intake of Omega 3, a heart healthy diet includes eating less red meat, dialing back on the animal fats in general and eating more fruit, nuts, and more green vegetables. The Greek diet is one that has shown to be the most heart healthy. The Mediterranean diet includes lots of leafy green vegetables, lintels, beans and plenty oily fish dishes.

Why is Omega 3 so helpful to any diet?

The fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid have been clinically proven to fight inflammation in the body as well as flush the coronary arteries through the benefit of elevating (HDL). Cholesterol management has an inverse relationship, in that as the good cholesterol rises, the bad cholesterol diminishes in most cases. Omega 3 is credited with delivering heart healthy benefits to native Eskimos as well as other populations around the globe that have a regular intake of cold water fish in their diets. For those that don't care for sea food per se, quality fish oil gels are available in most health food stores and pharmacies. One thing to always look for however is the level of the EPA and DHA included. The best fish oil products will always contain high levels of these essential fatty acids.

Now that you know the facts about Omega 3 fish oil, you can augment your regimen of eating healthy, while using moderate exercise on a regular basis to ensure a more healthy cholesterol level, and a healthier heart. Here's to your good health.

Jim Morham is a vocal advocate for healthy living and products that promote good health. Due to personal needs, Jim strives to find the very best quality products that aid good health, in order to share them with others. Visit his site at http://purest-omega-3.com/

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Heart disease is the number one killer among adults today. It is also the number one cause of disability. Heart disease can take many forms such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease and many others. Heart disease may also be triggered by a virus or an episode of severe illness. It is important that you learn what your risks are for developing heart disease and the steps that you can take to avoid heart disease. This article will give you some very important tips on your risks factors and how to prevent heart disease.

The first thing that we will look at is risk factors of heart disease that are beyond your control. Heredity plays a big part in your risk for heart disease. If your father, mother or grandparents all had heart disease then you need to be very aware that your risk for developing heart disease is very high. Another risk factor is age. The older you get the higher your risk becomes. The last risk factor that is beyond your control is gender. Males tend to have a higher risk for heart disease than women do.

High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease that you have some control over. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is manufactured by the body and travels in the blood to various parts of the body. Cholesterol is important because it is vital in the production hormones, bile acid and vitamin D. Cholesterol can be divided into two groups. The LDL cholesterol is the type that can be harmful if too much of it builds up in your bloodstream. It will stick to the walls of the arteries and form blockages that can cut off blood flow to the heart and cause a heart attack. The HDL cholesterol is the component of cholesterol that is responsible for carrying the excess to the liver to be processed and eliminated from your body. It is a good idea to have your total cholesterol levels checked periodically and to eat a low- fat, healthy diet. Plenty of exercise can also go a long way in keeping your cholesterol levels under control.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. The higher your blood pressure, the harder your heart is working to pump the blood through your system. Having uncontrolled high blood pressure is like running a four cylinder car at it's top speed for an extended period of time. Eventually the car's engine will blow up. The same thing can happen to your body if you do not keep your blood pressure under control.

Smoking will increase your risk for heart disease. Smoking will interrupt the transport of much needed oxygen to every major organ in your body. It will also constrict blood vessels, narrow your arteries and decrease your lung capacity. These are just a few of the side effects from smoking. A smoker's risk for heart disease will be four times as much as a non-smoker. The single most important thing you can do for your health is to stop smoking right away.

Inactivity and obesity increase your risk for heart disease. If you have a sedentary lifestyle and you notice that the pounds are packing on, get moving now. A good exercise program can go a long way in preventing major health problems.

This is just a few of the risk factors for heart disease. Your heart is the single most important organ of the body. You only have one, so please take good care of it.

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Ischemic Heart Disease we can include people with personal or family history of:

~heart attack (myocardial infarction)-when a part of heart muscle is permanently damaged or actually dies because there's not enough oxygen.

~unstable angina-is an intermediary between myocardial infarction and stable angina.It's manifestation is a severe chest pain that lasts more than stable angina and it doesn't respond very well to medication.

~angina-is a chest discomfort which occurs when the coronary vessels receive an inadequate blood flow.

~atherosclerosis-occurs when fatty material deposite into the arteries walls. This can lead to a blockage of the arteries.

Other risk factors for Ischemic Heart Disease are:

~hypertension (high blood pressure)- blood pressure can vary with activity and with age, but a healthy adult who is resting generally has a systolic pressure reading between 120 and 130 and a diastolic pressure reading between 80 and 90 (or below).

~diabetes-heart problems are the leading cause of death among people with diabetes, especially in the case of non-insulin-dependent diabetes also known as Type II diabetes.

~high blood cholesterol-cholesterol is a fat-like substance carried in your blood.It can be found in all of your body's cells. The liver produces all of the cholesterol your body needs to form cell membranes and to make certain hormones. Extra cholesterol enters your body when you eat foods that come from animals (meats, eggs,and other similar products).

~obesity and overweight- extra weight leads to increased total cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Obesity increases your chances of developing other risk factors for heart disease, especially high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes.

~smoking- It's well known that smoking increases the risk of lung cancer, but few people know that it also increases the risk of heart disease and peripheral vascular disease (disease in the vessels that supply blood to the arms and legs). Smoking also raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke in people who already have high blood pressure.

~birth control pills-At the beginning birth control pills contained high levels of estrogen and progestin, and taking these pills increased the chances of heart disease and stroke, especially in women older than 35 who smoked. In our days the dose of hormones contained in these pills has been lowered and they are considered safe for women younger than 35, who do not smoke or have high blood pressure.

~physical inactivity- people who exercise regularly have a lower risk of heart attack than people who are not active. Exercise burns calories, may lower blood pressure and helps to control cholesterol levels and diabetes. In addition to this exercise makes the arteries more flexible and strengthens the heart muscle.

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There are some heart disease risk factors that you can control and others you can not. Heart disease causes roughly 1.2 million heart attacks each year. Around 40% of those people will die while suffering an attack. With that statistic alone, isn't it time you did your part in trying to control the common risk factors that you can control?

Things that are uncontrollable are: male sex, older age, family history, post-menopausal, and race. Every race does is susceptible to the condition, but African Americans, American Indians, and Mexican Americans are at a higher risk of getting the disease than Caucasians.

There are several risk factors for heart disease which every person can control. Any person can reduce risks by making changes in their lifestyle. The controllable factors are: do not smoke, improve cholesterol levels, control high blood pressure, control diabetes, be active, eat right, manage stress, and achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

The most preventable high risk activity is to smoking cigarettes. If you do smoke, quit now. Smokers are known to have twice the risk of developing the condition and sustaining a heart attack than people who do not smoke. Eating healthy food is another controllable factor, especially when it is a diet low in cholesterol and saturated and trans fats. This kind of diet will improve your cholesterol levels.

Also, when another condition such as diabetes isn't controlled properly, it can lead to heart disease and heart attacks. Having control over diabetes will lower a person's risk of developing heart problems. Be active, eat right, and achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Every person should exercise at a moderate rate for 30 minutes a day at least 3-4 times a week. Being active leads to eating healthy which then leads to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Being able to control heart disease risk factors will definitely reduce the risk of getting heart disease even for those who may be predisposed to the condition through heredity.

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Causes of Coronary Heart Disease

Many people believe eating high cholesterol foods which are solid at room temperature will cause this fat to wind up in your blood and stick to your arteries, theorizing that since saturated fats are solid outside your body, they will be solid inside your body too. In actuality, atherosclerotic plaque accumulates behind the layer of the artery, not in it, and the cholesterol and fat within it is engulfed in white blood cells. It is now thought that the root cause behind coronary heart disease is inflammation, not lipids and that this form of heart disease is degenerative, not infiltrative.

Atherosclerosis is largely driven by the degeneration of lipids which infiltrate the blood vessel and thereby cause inflammation. This is the process in which fatty deposits build up in the inner lining of arteries. In addition, there is also research that indicates an infection - possibly one caused by a bacteria or a virus - might contribute to or even cause atherosclerosis.

The main determinant of plaque rupture according to the current scientific literature is the balance between collagen degradation and collagen synthesis. Collagen synthesis requires vitamin C. Atherosclerosis itself probably diminishes the quality of life by impeding blood flow and blood vessel function, but it clearly does not inexorably lead to heart attacks. The reason why atherosclerosis produces heart attacks in humans might be that humans do not get enough vitamin C.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the acute phase proteins that increase during systemic inflammation. Testing CRP levels in the blood may be helpful in determining cardiovascular disease risk.

Current Treatments/Preventions

Allopathic medicine considers high blood cholesterol levels to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease, and prescribes statin drugs to lower blood cholesterol levels. Statin drugs work by blocking the action of the liver enzyme that is responsible for producing cholesterol. This can cause a host of problems, since your body needs cholesterol to perform certain vital functions. In fact, lowering one type of cholesterol, HDL, can be bad for your heart.

The most common statin side effects include headache, difficulty sleeping, flushing of the skin, muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness, drowsiness/weakness, dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting, abdominal cramping and/or pain, bloating and/or gas, diarrhea, constipation, rash, cognitive problems and peripheral neuropathy, pain or numbness in the extremities like fingers and toes, irregular heartbeats, elevated blood glucose, tendon problems and myositis, which is inflammation of the muscles or other, more serious muscle conditions such as myalgias. Statin drugs may also predispose many people to serious muscle and kidney problems, potentially deadly heart arrhythmias and a host of other health problems.

Statins cause this long list of side effects because they cause injury to the mitochondria. They generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used as a source of cells' chemical energy. With injured mitochondria, the body produces less energy and more "free radicals" are produced which cause many of the conditions listed above.

As they block the production of cholesterol in the body, statins also block the production of much of the body's coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10), a compound important to the process of making energy within mitochondria and also to stopping free radical damage. In addition, statins reduce the very blood cholesterol that is needed to carry Co-Q10 and other fat-soluble antioxidants throughout the body.

"The loss of coenzyme Q10 leads to loss of cell energy and increased free radicals which, in turn, can further damage mitochondrial DNA," Dr. Golomb explained in the press statement. She added that statins may cause additional mitochondrial problems over time, leading to new adverse effects the longer a person takes the drugs. Hypertension and diabetes are independently linked to higher rates of mitochondrial problems and associated with a higher risk of statin complications, too.

Natural Prevention

In addition to the list of adverse health effects of statin drugs listed above, the main danger people face when they start cholesterol lowering medicationis thinking that they need do nothing else except take the pills.

Instead of taking statin drugs, there are many natural ways to lower blood cholesterol levels. You can positively affect your cholesterol through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking. The most important step you can take is to make these lifestyle changes permanent, not just a short term fix until the numbers look good.

Exercise is a very effective means of lowering cholesterol and other forms of heart disease. Any form of aerobic exercise, such as walking, running, bicycling and swimming can help lower heart diseaserisk. To be most effective, practice some form of exercise for 30 minutes at least 5 days a week.

Exercise is also beneficial for increasing shear stress. Since the average shear stress over time seems to be the critical factor, exercise might help prevent atherosclerosis by decreasing the permeability of the endothelium and increasing nitric oxide production in those areas of the blood vessels where the resting level of shear stress is insufficient for protection.

If you weigh more than you should, losing weight can significantly decrease your cholesterol level. Research suggests that being overweight disrupts the normal metabolism of dietary fat. So even though you may be eating less fat, you may not see a difference in your cholesterol profile until you shed excess weight.

Learn the difference between unhealthy saturated and trans fats, and healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Peanut butter, avocados, olive oil, and most nuts are mostly monounsaturated fat. Research has shown that monounsaturated fat can help lower LDL and triglycerides (another type of blood fat) while raising HDL. It's a much healthier choice than saturated fat, found primarily in animal products -- meats, butter, full-fat milk and cheese. Saturated fat can elevate your cholesterol level more than anything else you might eat.

Also included in the good fats category are the omega-3 fatty acids, found in abundance in fish such as mackerel, albacore tuna, and salmon. Be sure to only eat wild caught fish, as farm raised fish are lacking in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s appear to lower levels of VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) and triglycerides. Studies have shown that when people cut back on saturated fat and consumed more fish oil, their LDL dropped.

Eating lots of soluble fiber will lower cholesterol by binding with cholesterol-containing bile acids in the intestines and escorting them out of the body. Eating about 15 g of soluble fiber a day can lower LDL cholesterol by 5 to 10 percent. Fruit and vegetables contain high fiber content and almost no cholesterol at all. Fruit and veggies are also good for overall health, promote digestive health and are low in calories.

One kind of soluble fiber, pectin, not only lowers cholesterol but also helps curb overeating by slowing the digestive process. Eat apples and other pectin-rich fruits to eat less, lose weight, and naturally control your cholesterol. Also, foods high in fiber tend to be low in saturated fat and cholesterol, as well as calories.

Other foods which help to lower cholesterol naturally include garlic, flax seed, green tea, oats and nuts. Analyze your diet to identify nutritional gaps. A natural, plant based multivitamin/mineral supplement can fill in these nutritional gaps and may even lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. Be sure to eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C or take a vitamin C supplement, to prevent atherosclerosis.

As much as possible, reduce stress in your life because stressand the emotions it triggers (tension, anxiety, anger, depression) in turn trigger the release of chemicals that constrict arteries, reduce blood flow to the heart, raise blood pressure, and elevate your heart rate. These changes, in combination with uncontrolled cholesterol, can put you on course for a heart attack. Also, when you're tense and anxious, you're less likely to stick to the lifestyle habits that help lower cholesterol in the first place.

This article on heart disease risk factors and prevention methods was written to help you determine your best course for a long life with a healthy heart.

Author: Mary Ann MacKay
Mary Ann MacKay promotes health education on her website http://www.healthwellnessconnection.com.

Heart disease is a broad term that describes a number of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Some of the most common include cardiovascular disease, heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia), congenital heart defects, infections of the heart and cardiomyopathy. Heart disease is responsible for 40% of all deaths worldwide, making it the number one killer for both men and women. There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of developing heart disease. Some of these factors are beyond a person's control, while others are more related to lifestyle and bad habits.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common types of heart disease that is associated with controllable risk factors. It is a disease in which blood vessels are obstructed or narrowed; it can lead to heart attack and stroke. Symptoms include chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, coldness or numbness in the extremities. In many cases it is not diagnosed until chest pain, heart failure or heart attack occurs. It is important to be aware of the signs of this disease and see a doctor if any of these symptoms arise. Regular checkups may also be beneficial in detecting cardiovascular disease in the early stages. Atherosclerosis is the most common form of cardiovascular disease. Smoking, lack of exercise, poor nutrition and being overweight are all risk factors that can be addressed with lifestyle changes.

Arrhythmias are abnormal heartbeats. Symptoms can include a fluttering in the chest, a racing or very slow heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting and shortness of breath. Risk factors include excessive use of alcohol or caffeine, smoking, drug use and stress. Other causes are coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Congenital heart defects are a form of heart disease that people are born with. Generally, this type of disease becomes evident within the first few hours, days or weeks of life. The symptoms could include a pale gray or blue skin tone, swelling around the eyes and in the abdomen and legs, shortness of breath during feedings and slow weight gain. Other symptoms of non-life threatening congenital heart defects may be a shortness of breath or tiring easily during exercise, swelling of the hands and feet, and fluid in the heart and lungs. Researchers are not sure what causes congenital heart defects, but medical conditions, medication and genetics may be factors.

Infections of the heart can affect the outer lining, the heart muscle or the inner membrane. An infection can cause fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, arrhythmias, coughing, swelling and spots or rashes on the skin. Bacteria, viruses and parasites cause heart infections. There is a link between infections of the heart and poor oral health.

A thickening or hardening of the heart muscle is called cardiomyopathy. Breathlessness during rest and exercise, swelling of the legs and feet, abdominal bloating, fatigue, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting are symptoms of this type of heart disease. Studies have yet to determine the cause of cardiomyopathy.

Treating diseases of the heart is easier with early detection. It is important to have routine physical examinations, inform your doctor of any family history of heart disease, and see your doctor as soon as you begin experiencing any symptoms.

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