Heart and vascular disease also refers to cardiovascular disease. The term
cardio refers to the heart, while
vascular refers to the blood vessels. The cardiovascular system includes arteries, veins, arterioles, venules, and capillaries.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death among Americans today. Heart disease refers to a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. Types of heart disease include:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks. When you have CAD, your arteries become hard and narrow. The heart does not get all the blood it needs. CAD can lead to angina and heart attack.
- Heart failure occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood through the body as well as it should. This means that other organs, which normally get blood from the heart, do not get enough blood.
- Heart arrhythmias are changes in the beat of the heart. Most people have felt dizzy, faint, out of breath or had chest pains at one time.
Consuming dietary
fish oil or taking fish oil supplements is associated with a reduction in overall mortality and a reduction in death from cardiovascular causes in people with or without cardiovascular disease.High dietary intake of
alpha-linolenic acid seems to reduce the risk of a first myocardial infarction. Overall, increasing dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid by 1.2 grams per day appears to decrease the risk of fatal coronary heart disease in people with existing heart disease.
A diet that includes foods high in fiber, such as
oat bran, reduces the risk of heart disease and death from cardiovascular disease when consumed as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Researchers believe that the beneficial effect of
CoQ10 in the prevention and treatment of heart disease is due to its ability to improve energy production in cells, inhibit blood clot formation, and act as an antioxidant.
Garlic consumption may decrease the progression of cardiovascular disease.
People who take
L-carnitine supplements soon after suffering a heart attack may be less likely to suffer a subsequent heart attack, die of heart disease, experience chest pain and abnormal heart rhythms, or develop congestive heart failure. However, it is important to check with your doctor before taking the supplement.
