Understanding cardiovascular disease

Understanding cardiovascular disease - We often hear the phrase “cardiovascular disease” in relation to heart problems. Its exact meaning is heart blood vessel disorder, “cardio” for heart and “vascular” pertaining to vessels. It is also known as atherosclerosis. The disease leads to coronary heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and stroke, which result in disability and death in developed countries. In Saudi Arabia, heart-related fatality comes second only to car accidents.

Cardiovascular disease is generally provoked by high levels of cholesterol and triglyceride blood serum, triggered by unhealthy fatty diets, low in healthy fats (omega-3-6-9), vegetable, and fruit, smoking, adult and childhood obesity, sedentary lifestyles, diabetes, physical, mental and emotional stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and hereditary factors. People who have close blood relatives suffering from any kind of heart disease should go for screening tests early enough in order to take preventive measures such as dietary intervention, weight loss, regular aerobic activity, stress reduction, and quitting smoking and unnecessary medical drugs. Heart disease usually targets males in their fifties or even earlier, while females’ risk starts after menopause.

Atherosclerosis appears to be a primary cause of coronary heart disease and stroke due to cholesterol buildup in the heart arteries. Layers of fat, cholesterol, cell waste, calcium, and fibrin accumulate inside arterial wall, forming plaque and narrowing arteries. A total block in an artery or brain blood vessel contributes to a heart attack or stroke, damaging heart muscle or areas of the brain.

Because the process of plaque buildup in its early stages is quite unclear and non-symptomatic, prevention and detection of heart disease and damage is quite frustrating unless regular and early screening is effectuate. It is quite evident that elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels are conducive factors to the plaque formation. Cholesterol oxidation caused by free radicals can damage artery lining. Research also indicates that white blood cell debris and the release of toxic chemicals from cells can cause inflammation, resulting in blockage.

Obstruction in blood vessels, veins, and arteries due to atherosclerosis and blood clots are not uniquely restricted to the heart. They can occur anywhere in the body, contributing to heart attack, stroke, embolism, thrombosis, or mental impairment. In the legs (thrombosis), clots cause pain and swelling and can lead to amputation. With narrowing pelvic blood vessels, sexual activity can decline considerably.

The coronary arteries are the main vehicles for transporting blood and oxygen to the heart, thus to the brain, organs, extremities, and all the body. The heart works very hard to pump adequate blood supply to the body. Narrowed coronary arteries go into spasm and trigger angina pectoris (chest pains) and high blood pressure due to insufficient blood supply. Blocked arteries result in a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, and sometimes death. Symptoms of a heart attack can be chest pains, difficulty in breathing, left arm or jaw pain, fainting spells, or loss of conscientiousness.

With the recent prevalence of heart disease, people get apprehensive when the word cholesterol is mentioned. This is not surprising, because they continuously hear of death of a friend of a heart attack or a colleague who has become brain-dead due to a stroke. Both are frightful conditions. For the luckier ones who survive such attacks or who discover the condition early enough, it is imperative to make modifications to unhealthy lifestyle habits in order to prevent their risk or recurrence of heart attacks. Those who are diagnosed with plaque build-up in its early stages are fortunate, because they can reverse atherosclerosis before heart damage or sudden death occur. Such changes like quitting smoking, eating healthy, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and losing weight to bring blood counts of cholesterol, triglycerides, and homocysteine can help reverse the condition to normal levels. Let us see what cholesterol is.

Contrary to common understanding, cholesterol is an important fatty acid that is vital to many body parts and functions as well as the makeup of brain and body cell membranes, and the production of bile acids, neurotransmitters, hormones, and others. The body makes cholesterol for its needs even with a low-fat diet. While animal fat is unhealthy saturated fats, plants oils are healthy fatty acids essential to quench cells. When too much saturated fat from red meat, dairy products, and hydrogenated fats (trans fats) are consumed, excessive amounts of low density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, start circulating in the bloodstream, accumulating, and settling in blood vessel lining.

On the other hand, high density lipoprotein (HDL), or the “good” fat coming from polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, found in fish, nuts, seeds, avocadoes, and olives enter the bloodstream and sweep LDL and excess cholesterol to the liver to get metabolized and excreted. When the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol is too high, trouble starts with plaque buildup, overpowering the beneficial effects of HDL. Ideally, blood levels of LDL should be less than 130 mg while HDL should exceed 50 mg per deciliter.

Triglycerides represent all fats from food as well as body. Excess calorie intake from fat and carbohydrates turns into triglycerides and then get deposited in fat cells. Hormones play the role of regulating the use of stored fat for energy needs. High readings of triglyceride blood levels are indicative of higher risk for heart-related disorders. Triglycerides should be less than 150 mg to prevent tragedy.

Blood platelets are important for blood clotting to stop bleeding, but when they become sticky and clump with the help of fat and insufficient water intake, they encourage plaque formation.

High homocysteine blood levels are usually indicators of cardiovascular disease such as plaque formation and high blood pressure, which cause hardening of arteries.

To sum up what I have just discussed, there should be an emphasis on a balanced nutrition low in saturated animal fats and sufficient in healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats with plenty of fruits and vegetables; maintenance of a lean body with regular daily exercise; and stress reduction while avoiding smoking and alcohol to prevent cardiovascular disorder. Next week, I shall discuss the importance of a heart healthy diet and the role of certain nutrients and supplements. ( arabnews.com )