It has been said that heart related conditions (cardiovascular diseases) are the number one cause of death and disability in the United States and most parts of the civilized world, today. And sudden death, from heart attack is by far the most common consequence of cardiovascular diseases.

A heart attack is the sudden stoppage of the heart due to death or damage to part of the heart. Of the numerous types of cardiovascular conditions, the one that is most likely to lead to a heart attack is what is known as Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) or more appropriately, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

Coronary arteries are the vessels (arteries) that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles or myocardium. So, as the name implies, Coronary Artery Disease is a condition that affects the coronary arteries (i.e. arteries of the heart). This condition is characterized by the slow and gradual buildup of fatty deposits, or plaque, in the walls of the coronary arteries which causes narrowing and restriction of blood flow. This is known as atherosclerosis.

As the buildup of the plaques continue, over the years, the plaques increase in thickness and the degree of obstruction of blood flow to the heart muscles becomes severe. Though, the buildup of the plaques takes a very long it is this process which ultimately causes irreversible death of the heart muscle supplied by that artery and results in a ‘heart attack’.
Coronary heart disease, though the most common underlying cause of heart attack, is not the only risk factor to consider. Other risk factors include: Smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity (especially central or female-type obesity), a chronic sub-clinical lack of vitamin C, elevated homocysteine levels, elevated blood levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine and also importantly, sedentary or inactive lifestyle.

It is important to note that despite the increasingly growing number of deaths recorded as a result of heart related conditions, cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented, or at least delayed by simply adopting a more healthy lifestyle. Simply becoming more active and watching what you eat while decrease your risk significantly.

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