People die in all sorts of ways. In this article, we’ll focus on one of the top ten causes of death. That’s because most deaths in the world (>50%) are attributed to the top ten causes. By understanding the top ten causes of death and how to avoid them, you can stack the odds in your favor for living a longer than average life.
Heads up: This article was commissioned as a part of the Adam Rush Project. It was an experiment I did a few years ago to see if having books written by ghostwriters would be commercially viable. It wasn't. That said, the following article was written by someone else and not yet edited to my standards. I hope to find time to rewrite it myself in the future, but for now, read with caution.
Disclaimer
I wish I could tell you that I’m a doctor, but I can’t. I’m just an inquisitive author with a background in science and a love for practical research. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you want medical advice, ask a real doctor.
What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is also referred to as Ischemic Heart Disease. It is a heart condition that affects the blood supply to the heart. When cholesterol builds up in the blood vessels, it can slow or stop blood flow to the heart. The reduction in blood flow decreases the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the heart. Over time, the area of the heart that doesn’t get enough blood can die, resulting in a heart attack. The reduced blood flow from the heart can also impair other organs like the liver, brain, and kidneys.
CAD causes over eight million deaths per year. It accounts for almost 15% of deaths worldwide. Low and mid-income countries account for over 80% of the deaths caused by CAD. Some causes of CAD include high cholesterol, stress, smoking, and diabetes. Genetic factors also increase the risk of developing CAD. Hypertension is another risk factor. Symptoms to look out for include acute chest pain and difficulty breathing.
How to Avoid Dying from Coronary Artery Disease
There are simple ways to reduce your risk of developing coronary artery disease.
Eat a healthy diet
To keep your heart healthy, eat foods rich in fiber such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. It is also important to limit salt intake as it can increase blood pressure. Avoid saturated fats as it elevates cholesterol levels in the blood. Foods with high saturated fat include fatty meats, many baked goods, dairy, and fried foods. Replace them with sources of unsaturated fat like avocados, seeds, nuts, fish, and olive oil.
Exercise
Keep your heart healthy with regular exercise. Having an active lifestyle will improve blood circulation, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Keep in mind that the heart is also a muscle that benefits from regular exercise. Exercise makes the heart stronger, and this helps it pump blood around your body with less effort.
Maintain a normal body weight
You can find out if your body weight is healthy by calculating your body mass index (BMI). There are many BMI calculators available online. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
provides an online BMI calculator (smshock.com/bmi).
Quit smoking
Smoking and second-hand smoke can increase your chances of developing CAD.
Reduce alcohol intake
If you drink alcohol, try not to drink more than one drink daily. Binge drinking elevates your chances of getting a heart attack.
Manage your blood pressure
Maintaining a low blood pressure will reduce your risk of developing CAD. You can manage your blood pressure through diet and exercise.
Manage diabetes
Diabetes is another risk factor for coronary artery disease. If you have diabetes, avoid developing CAD by keeping a healthy weight, exercising, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Take prescribed medications
If you already suffer from coronary artery disease, take your doctor’s advice seriously. Take all prescribed medications as directed.
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