Causes of Diet, Lifestyle and Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by the narrowing of the arteries due to the deposit of cholesterol. Coronary heart disease is responsible for one third of all deaths in men and about a quarter of all deaths in women. In the US it is estimated that more than 150,000 deaths a year are caused by this condition and most who die are under the age of 65.
There are various factors, which influence the development of heart diseases.
Hereditary factors:
Children of parents with heart and blood vessel diseases may be more likely to develop CHD. A family history of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, gout or diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease.
Race:
India is now in the middle of a coronary artery disease epidemic they have 4-fold rate higher than Americans. The rate of this condition is showing decline in the western world but it has doubled in India in the last 30 years.
Afro-Americans have a higher risk of developing blood pressure. This increases their risk of developing heart disease.
People of South Asian descent are at a high risk for heat disease. However, the Japanese have a lower risk comparatively to other Asians.
Non-Hereditary Factors:
Cigarette smoking, high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure are the most highly established non-hereditary risk factors associated with coronary heart disease. These factors can be controlled to a large extent with the help of diet. By becoming a non-smoker you will do your heart and health a great deal of good as smokers have the highest risk of developing heart diseases.
