Heart Disease Causes

As mentioned in previous posts, heart disease refers to a number of conditions or diseases that can affect the heart and its circulatory system.  In some cases, some people’s hearts become infected by bacteria or viruses and this causes heart disease.  For some others, they have problems with the internal structures of the heart (ex. the valves), and this can lead to heart disease.  But for a lot of us, heart disease is caused by our lifestyles.  What follows are some heart disease causes related to our everyday lifestyles and things that we can control:

1. Poor eating habits – eating a diet high in saturated fats, low in Omega 3 oils, and too much salt can result in heart disease over time. See other posts (located in the Heart Health Ideas Category) for more information.  People should focus more on fruits and vegetables, whole-grain grain products, and fiber-rich foods as well.
2. Lack of activity – too many people have become adapted to a sedentary lifestyle.  We should be exercising for at least thirty minutes every day to maintain a healthy heart.  If you are new to exercising, consult with your physician before beginning an exercise program.
3. Cholesterol that is too high – Cholesterol is a natural product that is found in our bodies and is part of the cell structures.  However, it is when the cholesterol gets too high that we run into problems, and increase the chance of heart disease developing.  Our diets affect our cholesterol levels as well.
4. Overweight and obesity – This is often a result of a combination of taking in too many calories or eating the wrong kinds of foods and/or not getting enough exercise.  The more weight you carry, the harder your heart has to work.
5. High blood pressure – Some people have a genetic predisposition to high blood pressure, however limiting your salt intake, increasing your activity level, and getting your weight under control can help normalize your blood pressure in many cases.  Blood pressure of 120/80 is typically seen as a normal blood pressure with a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher seen as elevated.  By getting your blood pressure under control, you can decrease or delay damage to the heart.
6. Smoking – contributes to and accelerates atherosclerotic (fatty build-up) plaques in the artery walls.
7. Having a preexisting disease – such as diabetes predisposes you to heart disease. Diabetes that is not well-controlled or managed especially puts a person at increased risk of heart disease, so ensure you take care of yourself.
8. Stress/anger – prolonged stress is associated with increased adrenaline and makes your heart work harder.  Studies have also shown that anger contributes to a damaged heart.

There are a number of different causes of heart disease.  Some are related to viruses or bacteria that may attack our hearts.  However, other factors are more under our control, such as following a healthy diet and lifestyle.