Information on What Causes Heart Disease – Part 3

Controlling your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are another way you can help to prevent heart disease. High blood cholesterol can clog your arteries and keep the heart from getting the blood and oxygen that it needs. People with high cholesterol or triglycerides usually have no symptoms at all. You can almost always lower your levels by eating a balanced diet and getting appropriate exercise. If you don’t want to change your diet you may have to resort to using medication to help lower your cholesterol. These types of medication have some significant side effects that can sometimes be as bad as the heart disease.

More information on what causes heart disease is usually incorporated into weight loss programs because maintaining a healthy weight will also decrease your risk of heart disease. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly will help you to maintain a healthy weight.

The final factors on what causes heart disease includes the use of alcohol and handling stress. Alcohol affects the efficiency and effectiveness of the heart muscle on a long-term basis. Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink will also limit your risks of heart disease. Coping with stress in a healthy fashion will also help to decrease your risk of heart disease. Researchers have found that stress is linked to heart disease and stroke.

Fortunately the information on what causes heart disease is no longer a mystery. And while heart disease continues to rise, the factors that increase your risk are preventable with education and some minor lifestyle changes.

References:

(1) American Heart Association Circulation: Cardiovascular Effects of Secondhand Smoke

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/111/20/2684.abstract

Resources:

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What Causes Heart Disease

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hdw/causes.html

MayoClinic: Heart Diseases

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/DS01120/DSECTION=causes

CBN News: Cholesterol Myth

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2012/october/cholesterol-myth-what-really-causes-heart-disease/

Seconds Count: Heart and Vascular Disease

http://www.scai.org/SecondsCount/Disease/Default.aspx?gclid=CIXOl56awbYCFc9AMgod_WQAJQ