What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease, is a medical condition where the arteries of the heart cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Coronary artery disease is often caused by cholesterol, a waxy substance that builds up inside the lining of the coronary arteries forming plaque. This buildup can lead to inflammation causing some degree of blockage to blood flow in the arteries of the heart.
Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease
Symptoms of coronary heart disease can include:
a) Chest pain: The pain usually occurs on the middle or left side of the chest and is often triggered by a feeling of strong emotion or engagement in strenuous activities. Pain may radiate into the left shoulder, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
b) Shortness of breath: Another symptom of CAD is shortness of breath. One feels like they are is not getting enough air in which case they experience a rapid breathing pattern.
c) Fatigue: A situation where the heart can not pump enough blood to meet the body's needs leaves one feeling unusually tired.
d) Heart attack: A heart attack occurs when the heart muscles do not have enough blood or oxygen. It is a medical emergency and if not attended to, can lead to permanent heart damage or even death.
What Are Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease?
The following factors increase a person’s risk of developing coronary artery disease:
Smoking - Smoking is the leading preventable cause of several diseases including coronary artery disease. It damages nearly every organ in the body and is bad for a person’s overall health.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure - In a situation where one maintains high blood pressure for too long, the blood vessels including the arteries can suffer serious damage.
Diabetes - Diabetes increases the risk of CAD. Poor glycemic control can increase the risk of dangerous complications, including stroke and heart disease.
Obesity/Overweight - Excess body weight increases the risk of developing several health conditions including coronary artery disease, diabetes, etc.
Inflammatory foods - Eating foods with a lot of saturated fat, trans fat, salt, and sugar can increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
Managing Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary heart disease has no cure but can be managed by adopting a healthy lifestyle, plan, and/or medication. To improve heart health, follow these tips:
• Quit smoking.
• Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Exercise often.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a low-fat, low-salt diet that's rich in fruits, and vegetables.
• Reduce and manage stress.
Medication
Several medications can help people manage coronary artery disease condition and they may include the following:
a) Omega 3 fish oil: Omega – 3 fish oil supplements have been shown to increase (good) HDL levels of cholesterol while reducing plaque build-up in the arteries.
b) Curcumin: Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin may help reverse many steps in the heart disease process by improving the function of the endothelium, the lining of your blood vessels.
c) CoenzymeQ10: A study has shown that people with high triglycerides, high cholesterol, and a history of heart attack saw an improvement in both their HDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
d) Selenium: Selenium is a micronutrient that has antioxidant properties utilizing selenoproteins which play important functions in the body. A diet rich in selenium may help keep your heart healthy as low selenium levels have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
e) Ginger: Ginger is among the medicinal plants which are cardioprotective due to its antihypertensive, antiplatelet, and cardiotonic effects.
What are some foods that help reduce inflammation in CAD?
Some providers believe that the real cause of heart disease may be inflammation and that elevated blood cholesterol is an actually a symptom of heart disease.
• Antioxidant-rich foods
• Vegetables (including beets, carrots, cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale, dark leafy greens, artichokes, onions, greens, mushrooms, sea vegetables)
• Fruits especially berries
• Herbs and spices: especially turmeric (curcumin) and raw garlic (also basil, cinnamon, curry powder, ginger, and rosemary)
• Healthy fats found in nuts, avocados, wild-caught fish and extra virgin olive oil
Good Types of Fat/oils to Eat
• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Macadamia oil
• MCT oil
• Avocado oil
• Perilla oil
• Walnut oil
• Red palm oil
• Sesame oil
• Flavored cod liver oil
Worse options of Fat/oils to Avoid
• Soy
• Grapeseed
• Corn
• Cottonseed
• Safflower
• Sunflower
• Partially hydrogenated vegetable or canola
• Peanut
Self-Care Tips:
Additional things to consider inflammation:
• Reduce carbohydrates and sugars
• Reduce trans fats
Exercise:
Exercise helps restore and maintain cardiovascular health by improving blood flow, oxygenate cells, manage blood sugar levels and modulate hormonal levels. Benefits of exercise also includes decrease risk of coronary heart disease, reduced risk of stroke, and prevention of diabetes. Walking and swimming are great ways to improve cardiovascular performance.
Stress Reduction: Know that stress raises cholesterol which may in-turn interferes with inflammatory responses when left untreated. Chronic stress can suppressing the immune system, slow metabolism, restricts proper digestion, and prevent cell regeneration.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this website are based upon the views of Dr. Walker and his experience. This product is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is likewise not to replace the advice of a qualified health care provider. The information provided herein is intended as a sharing of general knowledge only and is not intended to be, nor is it, medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. That being said, please consult your healthcare provider before using supplements or providing supplements to children under the age of 18. If you have or suspect you have, a specific medical condition or disease, please consult your healthcare provider.
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