Heart Diseases

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Its underlying blood vessel disease is atherosclerosis, which involves build-up of the fatty substance containing cholesterol on the interior surfaces of blood vessels, interfering with blood flow and damaging blood vessels. If this fatty build-up becomes severe, it cuts off supplies of oxygen and nutrients to tissue cells, which in turn die. When this occurs in a major coronary artery, the result is a myocardial infarction or heart attack.The risk for atherosclerosis increases with the amount and type of blood lipids (fats), or lipoproteins, available. Elevated serum cholesterol is a primary risk factor for development of atherosclerosis.

Current recommendations to help prevent coronary heart disease involve a prudent diet, weight management, and increased exercise. Such a diet limits fats to 25% to 30% of total diet kcalories, sodium intake to 2 to 3 g per day, and cholesterol intake to 300 mg/day. Dietary recommendations for acute cardiovascular disease (i.e., heart attack) include measures to ensure cardiac rest (e.g., caloric restriction, soft foods, and small meals, modified in fat, cholesterol, and sodium). Persons with chronic heart disease involving congestive heart failure benefit from a low sodium diet to control cardiac edema. Persons with hypertension can improve their condition with weight control, exercise, sodium restriction, and adequate calcium and potassium.