Signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease
One of the first signs of coronary heart disease which is also called (CHD) can be chest pain. This chest pain can be followed by a heart attack. With coronary heart disease, you may experience other symptoms such as breathing difficulties and heart palpitations. In rare cases, some people do not have any signs or symptoms before being diagnosed with (CHD).
Heart Attacks
You can have a heart attack when your arteries become blocked. A Heart attack which is also called a myocardial infraction can cause damage to the heart muscle. Unfortunately, this can cause permanent damage. If a heart attack is not treated promptly it can also cause death. If you suspect that you are having a heart attack it is important to seek medical assistance immediately.
When it comes to a heart attack it can vary from person to person. People who have angina can also have similar symptoms. Often the difference is that the pain is more severe when experiencing a heart attack then with angina.
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack:
Dizziness
Trouble breathing
Feeling Nauseous
Sweating
Heart Failure
For those that suffer from Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) heart failure can occur. This often happens when the heart becomes weak. Once the heart has become weak it can make it difficult for the heart to function properly. The blood will not pump properly, the lungs can build fluid, and breathing can become difficult.
Unfortunately, heart failure can occur in two ways. Heart failure can be sudden which is called Acute Heart Failure can happen over time which is referred to as chronic heart failure.
Heart disease is caused by the following:
Most Coronary Heart Disease is caused by fatty deposits built around the walls of the coronary arteries.
Atheroma which is the fatty deposits is caused by waste and cholesterol.
The arteries become narrow once the thickening has occurred on the walls of atheroma. This will cause the flow of blood not to function properly. This causes atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis makes the blood flow becomes restrictive and causes damage to the heart muscle. Your chances of developing atherosclerosis greatly increase with the following:
High blood pressure also known as Hypertension
High cholesterol
Smoking
Diabetes
Not being physically active.
How You Can Help Prevent Heart Disease
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) can be greatly reduced by taking greater measures to reduce your cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
There are many effective ways to greatly reduce your risk of developing heart disease such as:
By reducing your salt intake to 6g per day or under this may help lower your blood pressure. If you unsure of how much 6g is you can basically have one teaspoon of salt or less a day.
Eat a balanced and healthy diet.
Add five portions of vegetables and fruits to your diet a day along with whole grains. This is recommended to maintain a low fat and high fiber diet.
Learn the difference between healthy fats (unsaturated fats) and unhealthy fats (saturated fats). It is important to avoid unhealthy foods that contain saturated fats. These saturated fats will raise the levels of bad cholesterol in your system.
The following foods are high in saturated fats:
Butter
Meat pies
Cream
Lard
Fatty Meats and Sausage
An Indian cooking butter called Ghee
Biscuits and cakes
Palm oil or Coconut oil
Hard Cheeses