Researchers used comparative risk assessment models to track the numbers of CMD deaths connected to poor dietary intake and arrived at the ten commonly observed poor nutrition habits through analysis of two National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 1999-2002 and 2009-2012.
The study found that the factor connected to the highest proportion of CMD was excess sodium intake, which was associated in 9.5 per cent of CMD deaths. Other top-of- the-list dietary no-no’s were low intake of nuts and seeds (8.5 per cent), high intake of processed meats (8.2 per cent) and low fruit and vegetable intake (7.6 and 7.5 per cent respectively).
In total, the list of top contributors contains six dietary items that many people need to eat more of: nuts and seeds, seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and polyunsaturated fats, along with four items we need to consume less of: sodium, processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat.
There are risk factors that increase the potential to develop plaque within coronary arteries and cause them to narrow. Atherosclerosis (athero=fatty plaque + sclerosis=hardening) is the term that describes this condition. Factors that put people at increased risk for heart disease are:
Smoking
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Family history of heart problems, especially heart attacks and strokes
Obesity
Since cardiovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and stroke share the same risk factors, a patient who is diagnosed with one of the three has increased risk of having or developing the others
TREATMENT.
There are two main lines of treatment for heart disease. Initially, a person can attempt to treat the heart condition using medications. If these do not have the desired effect, surgical options are available to help correct the issue.
MEDICATION
A very wide range of medication is available for the majority of heart conditions. Many are prescribed to prevent blood clots, but some serve other purposes.
The main medications in use are:
statins, for lowering cholesterol
aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin, for preventing blood clots
beta-blockers, for treating heart attack, heart failure, and high blood pressure
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, for heart failure and high blood pressure
