Heart disease is one of those conditions people talk about all the time but rarely explain. Everyone just assumes that everyone else knows the causes of this disease but that’s not always the case. The main reason people develop this condition is because of atherosclerosis which occurs when plague builds up along the walls of the arteries. As more plague is added, the artery gets even narrower.
Narrowed arteries don’t let the oxygen-rich blood flow through the body with sufficient ease. The result is that not enough oxygen is going to reach the heart or other extremities. Without enough oxygen, angina (chest pain) can result. If that artery becomes completely blocked or if part of the plague breaks off and blocks the artery then no oxygen can get to the heart or to the brain. The result is a heart attack or a stroke, respectively.
Are you at risk for heart disease?
Here are some of the risk factors that might make you more vulnerable to this serious health disease and the leading killer of both men and women:
- Age – Men who are 40 and over and women who are post-menopausal are at greatest risk.
- Family History – A close family member who has had heart disease, especially before age 50.
- Other Health Problems – Diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease increase your risk
- Cholesterol – High LDL levels and low HDL levels can increase the risk of atherosclerosis
- Smoking
- Alcohol Abuse
- Stress
- Inactive Lifestyle
- Metabolic Syndrome – A combination of health issues, including excess body weight and high insulin levels
If you are at risk for heart disease, you need to start taking better care of your health. You might also want to consider lifestyle changes, as well as chelation therapy top prevent atherosclerosis.