What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a heart disease condition that can occur throughout the arterial circulation. It is a broad term that refers to the thickening and hardening of the arteries.

Twenty to forty percent of middle-aged people have early or advanced coronary heart disease due to atherosclerosis, most without symptoms or knowledge of their condition.

Atherosclerosis consists of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood). In atherosclerosis, cholesterol builds up in pockets (plaques) embedded in the walls of coronary arteries beneath their inner lining.

Heart attacks occur when the plaque lining breaks or ruptures into the artery, forming a blood clot or thrombosis. The clot grows until it blocks the artery, causing heart attack, chest pain, or stroke. Typically, this plaque rupture occurs unpredictably at sites in the coronary artery that are not significantly narrowed and previously caused neither chest pains nor other symptoms.

Atherosclerosis does not develop quickly. It begins early in life. Some people experience a rapid progression in this disease process in their 30's, but in most cases, it is not apparent until they are in their 50's and 60's.

What are the risk factors that contribute to CHD?

• Smoking - Smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers.
• High blood cholesterol - It increases the risk of coronary heart disease.
• High blood pressure - It increases the heart's workload, causing it to weaken. It increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Physical activity - It also plays a significant role in the occurrence of heart disease.

Prevention of coronary heart disease

• Good diet and nutrition can help prevent CHD. There is evidence that plant  food plays a role in preventing atherosclerotic heart disease. Plant foods  provide dietary fiber that help lower blood cholesterol and antioxidants that  help in lipoprotein oxidation.
• There are more evidents to show that EPA in Omega 3 fatty acids plays a  significant role in reducing blood cholestrol and ; that helps maintain a  healthy heart and blood circulation.