Heart disease and stroke are mainly consequences of atherosclerosis and high blood pressure (hypertension). Heart disease is sometimes included in the broader category of atherosclerotic and hypertensive diseases. Risk factors for heart disease and stroke have been well established for many years. Distinct from age, family history, and possible genetic determinants are modifiable risk factors that cause heart attacks and strokes, including high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes. Behaviors that contribute to development of risk factors for heart disease, partly by causing obesity, include adverse dietary patterns and physical inactivity.

Discover how to Cure Your Heart Disease without Drugs

Social and environmental conditions that may determine such behavioral patterns, in turn, include education and income, cultural influences, family and personal habits, and opportunities to make favorable choices.For example, dietary patterns result from the influences of food production policies, marketing practices, product availability, cost, convenience, knowledge, choices that affect health, and preferences that are often based on early-life habits. Because many aspects of behavior are clearly beyond the control of the individual, the scope of heart disease and Stroke and stroke prevention, from the public health perspective, extends far beyond the individual or the patient. Thus, a comprehensive public health strategy for heart disease prevention must address the broader determinants of risk and disease burden as they affect both the population as a whole and particular groups of special concern, including those determinants that make healthier choices more likely for defeating heart disease.

Heart is like any muscle. It needs a constant and permanent supply of oxygen and nutrients. They are carried to it by the blood in the coronary arteries. In some particular situations, coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits, and they are not able any more to feed the heart with enough blood This process is called atherosclerosis and leads to coronary heart disease (CHD).

If the coronary arteries are only narrowed, you may experience chest pain called angina because not enough oxygen reaches the heart. When the coronary arteries become clogged, the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely discontinued, and the result is the heart attack. This situation usually happens due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing.

Lowering blood cholesterol levels could reduce the risk of CHD.

Cholesterol is distributed intimately throughout our entire body. It is the most common organic molecule in our brain. It is also, an essential constituent of the membrane surrounding every cell adjusting the fluid level and rigidity of its wall, very important for both cell stability and function. Our body uses cholesterol to vitamin D and the bile acids that help to digest fat.

A steroid in its chemical structure, cholesterol is metabolized into other essential body steroids known as the steroid hormones and is therefore the sole substrate within our bodies for the formation of the very powerful chemicals that determine our sexuality, control the reproductive process and make possible our very existence.

It takes only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. The excess is deposited in arteries, including the coronary arteries. Here it contributes to the narrowing and clogging that cause the signs and symptoms of CHD.

Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in issues affecting men health

Health Info Advocate for Heart Disease Information

Scott Parat has compiled and placed these pages on the web for the benefit of anyone suffering from heart disease. Scott has been involved in the health field for the last 20 years and focuses much of his attention toward natural solutions to health problems.

Heart Attack Symtoms

The National Heart Attack Alert Program notes these major signs of a heart attack: Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

Discover how to Cure Your Heart Disease without Drugs

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.