Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition. The heart is a muscle which pumps blood around the body through a network of blood vessels called arteries. The left side of the heart receives fresh, oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and then pumps it out through a large artery called the aorta. The aorta branches into smaller arteries that go to all parts of the body. The various parts of the body take the oxygen out of the blood. The oxygen-poor blood is returned to the right side of the heart. The right side of the heart pumps this blood to the lungs where it picks up more oxygen and the cycle begins again. Like all other tissues in the body, the heart muscle needs oxygen-rich blood to function. Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. Also, oxygen-depleted blood must be carried away. The coronary arteries wrap around the outside of the heart. Small branches dive into the heart muscle to bring it blood.
The disease begins when the coronary arteries struggle to send enough blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery causing it to narrow or become blocked) is the most common cause of heart disease. Coronary artery disease often develops over decades. Smoking or having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or insulin resistance, obesity or a strong family history of heart disease, not getting enough exercise (sedentary lifestyle) make you more likely to get coronary artery disease. So age, genetics, other health conditions and lifestyle choices can affect the health of the heart arteries. Getting older increases the risk of damaged and narrowed arteries. Symptoms may go unnoticed until a significant blockage causes problems or a heart attack occurs. Symptoms may go unrecognized at first, or they may only occur when the heart is beating hard like during exercise.
As the coronary arteries continue to narrow, less and less blood gets to the heart and symptoms can become more severe or frequent. Pay attention on fatigue. If the heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you may feel unusually tired. If you have coronary artery disease, reduced blood flow to the heart can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. A complete blockage of blood flow can cause a heart attack, a blockage in the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.
Let’s repeat that arteries disease, including coronary arteries, starts when fats, cholesterol and other substances (called plaque) collect on the inner walls of the arteries (called atherosclerosis). Plaque is made of several substances including cholesterol. Plaque buildup can start at an early age and is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors that are called risk factors. As plaque builds up over time, the arteries become increasingly narrow. Eventually, blood flow to parts of the heart is slowed or blocked. If left untreated, coronary heart disease can lead to a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest. Both of these conditions can be life threatening. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot. There’s no cure for this disease, but it’s possible to manage the condition and improve the quality of your life. Proper nutrition is one way to manage symptoms. If you have coronary heart disease, it’s important to control your cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight. Taking these measures can also improve your overall health. This includes eating certain types of foods while avoiding others. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent coronary artery disease.
What is recommended to eat? Eat a low-fat, low-salt diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables both contain a healthy amount of vitamins and nutrients, contributing to heart health. Plus, these foods are low in calories, which can help you maintain a healthy weight. Since they’re also a great source of fiber, fruits and vegetables help lower cholesterol levels and protect the heart. If you can’t eat fresh selections, choose low-sodium canned vegetables. It is advisable to drain liquid from cans and rinse off the vegetables before cooking to remove excess salt. Eat non-fresh fruits that are packed in juice or water. Avoid those packed in heavy syrup, which contains more sugar and has a higher calorie count. Eating whole grains, first of all whole grain breads, can also contribute to heart health and reduce the negative impacts of coronary heart disease. Whole grains are nutrient-dense and excellent source of fiber. Because of this, they can help regulate your cholesterol level and blood pressure. At the same time some goods made of grains are recommended to limit or avoid at all. It includes white bread, frozen waffles, donuts, biscuits, egg noodles, cornbread.
What about fats? If you have coronary heart disease, you might think that all fats are off-limits. But not all fats are bad. The truth is, eating healthy fats in moderation can be good for heart health. It's a major source of energy. It helps you absorb some vitamins and minerals. Fat is needed to build cell membranes, the vital exterior of each cell, and the sheaths surrounding nerves. It is essential for blood clotting, muscle movement. Healthy fats can lower cholesterol and protect against heart attacks and stroke. Good fats come mainly from vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fish. Healthy fats are liquid at room temperature, not solid. Some sources of healthy fat are: olive oil, canola oil, avocados. These are so-called “unsaturated fats”. What about so-called “saturated fats”, which are solid at room temperature? Common sources of saturated fat include red meat, whole milk and other whole-milk dairy foods, cheese and many commercially prepared baked goods and other foods. A diet rich in saturated fats can drive up total cholesterol, and tip the balance toward more harmful LDL cholesterol, which prompts blockages to form in arteries in the heart and elsewhere in the body. For that reason, most nutrition experts recommend limiting saturated fat to under 10% of calories a day. Limit red meat consumption. You should look for fat-free or low-fat dairy products. This includes milk, yogurt, sour cream, and cheese.
Eating products rich in protein also contributes to your overall health. However, be selective and choose proteins that are low in fat. Healthy options include types of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This includes salmon, herring and other cold water fish. Other healthy sources of protein include: peas and lentils, eggs, soy beans, lean ground meats, skinless poultry. There is also a list of high fat and high sodium foods which should be avoided. List of high fat products which is recommended to avoid includes butter, gravy, non-dairy creamers, fried foods, processed meats, pastries, junk foods, like potato chips, cookies, pies, and ice cream. Additionally let us add to this list some foods high in sodium. They can worsen coronary heart disease by contributing to high blood pressure. High-sodium foods to avoid include: condiments like mayonnaise and ketchup, table salt, packaged meals.
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