Coronary Heart Disease: Reduce your Risk in just 5 Simple Steps

Ok, here is a quick quiz: Which phrase is scarier to you:

Great White Shark or Coronary Heart Disease? If you are like most people, hearing the words Great White Shark brings to mind an image of a terrifying man eating monster that could swallow you whole, while hearing the words Coronary Heart Disease sound like a medical term, and maybe nothing more. The fact is, Coronary Heart Disease ranks as the NUMBER ONE KILLER OF ADULTS…while the Great White Shark ranks somewhere down on the list along with smoking in bed while watching Wheel of Fortune.

Coronary Heart Disease occurs when the arteries that are responsible for transporting oxygen to your heart become blocked due to a buildup of plaque. This buildup can cause the artery to become completely blocked and result in sudden heart failure. Plaque, as you may know, is basically a buildup of LDL, or low density lipoproteins, often commonly referred to as bad cholesterol. Now that you know what it is, let’s look at how you can reduce your risk of getting this terrible disease in just 5 simple steps.

1. If you smoke, STOP IT!-It almost seems trite to say that smoking is bad for you, but yet, folks continue to do it. Smoking causes an increase in LDL cholesterol in your body among other harmful ailments, so let’s top the list with this one and make it a priority.

2. Limit your consumption of animals-Listen, I love a good steak as much as the next person, but eating food made from animals increases our cholesterol. Increasing our cholesterol increases the chance of plaque buildup and potentially coronary heart disease. Aim to eat fruits and vegetables with a SIDE of animal protein, not the other way around.

3. Visit the doctor regularly-Much of what occurs during the buildup of plaque in your body is symptom free. You may not know a problem exists until it is too late. Therefore, visit your doctor and get your cholesterol checked regularly. You may also want to do an angiogram which can measure your heart’s activity. Knowing where you stand with your cholesterol levels will help you design a plan of action to stay healthy and keep those levels low.

4. An aspirin a day keep heart disease away-You should check with your doctor on this one for sure, but evidence shows that popping one low dose aspirin per day can help lower your risk of coronary heart disease. There can be other side effects, so again, make sure to check with your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen.

5. EXERCISE!-Ok, this one may seem like an obvious, but it just can’t be stressed enough. Our bodies NEED regular VIGOROUS exercise. By establishing and maintain an intense exercise program, you can lose fat, lower your cholesterol levels, and strengthen your heart. This one tip may make the difference between your living a healthy and long life, and succumbing to a massive heart attack thanks to coronary heart disease.

There you have it. Just 5 simple steps and you can great reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease. The number one killer of men and women won’t stand a chance if you follow these steps and get started RIGHT NOW!