Guest Author - Denise Howard, M.D., M.P.H.

The number 1 cause of death in the U.S. and the world is heart disease. It is however a potentially preventable medical problem. You must understand the factors that contribute to the development of this problem in order to know how to prevent it.

Artherosclerotic heart disease develops over time. Plaque development in the arteries can start as early as adolescence. Over time this development can cause a narrowing of the lumen, limiting blood flow to the heart during times of increased demand. Theses plaques can develop in vessels all over the body, causing problems in other organs as well. The plaque also provides a surface for clot formation that can cause a sudden obstruction of blood flow. This could lead to a heart attack, a stroke, kidney failure and damage to other organs.

Factors that contribute to the development of these artherosclerotic plaques and heart disease are many. There are some factors that can’t be controlled such as age and family history. The risk of heart disease increases with age and is greater in those over age 65. Women who have a family history of early onset heart disease and heart attack are at greater risk than those who do not have such a family history.

Other risk factors include smoking, obesity, sedentary life style, hypertension, elevated cholesterol and diabetes. Smoking is the major factor in the development of heart disease. It directly damages the lining of the blood vessels, increases bad cholesterol and increases vascular thrombosis. All of this leads to an increased risk of heart attack. More than 60% of American women are overweight or obese. This increases the likelihood of developing hypertension, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol which all contribute to the development of heart disease. Women who are physically inactive have a much greater risk of developing heart problems. This is related to many factors. They are more likely to have other medical problems that contribute to heart disease. Uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia will all eventually lead to heart disease and other organ damage.

Knowing the factors that lead to heart disease provides you with the power to decrease your risk of developing this problem. These are the things that you can do something about. Smoking is the most preventable risk factor that leads to heart disease. Once someone has quit smoking, the damage resolves in approximately 3 years. Physically active women are less likely to develop high blood pressure, and diabetes. In addition, regular exercise will help control weight and lower cholesterol. If you have diabetes, hypertension or abnormal lipids, using medication as prescribed by your physician can minimize the risk of developing heart disease.

Regular exercise and a nutritious diet are the most important weapon in the prevention of heart disease and many other medical problems. Smoking cessation is the most important step in preventing heart disease. Weight control is also fundamental. If you have hypertension, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol, working closely with your doctor to keep this controlled is crucial to keeping a healthy heart and a healthy body. Even though we all must die of something, it is the quality of life that is essential.