The medical term for heart disease is coronary artery disease or CAD. Due to accumulation of so called atheromatous plaques on the vessel walls, the arteries of the heart narrow and in some instances close completely, restricting the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) and causing heart attack. Some individuals exhibit symptoms of chronic coronary ischemia, including symptoms of angina at rest and flash pulmonary edema.

There are numerous factors for the development of CAD. This can be anything ranging from hereditary defects, eating patterns, stress, smoking, high blood pressure or a combination of all.

Another reason, which is the main reason, could be high levels of bad cholesterol. This is a very serious condition, which should not be taken lightly under any circumstances. People who have this condition have a high risk of developing sudden heart attacks, the results of which could be fatal.

For every person over the age of 30 it is recommended for them to take regular cholesterol tests. This is important as it will let you know when atherosclerosis sets in. This is because once the atherosclerosis sets in the risk of you getting a heart attack will always be there.

So if you are ever at risk you need to ensure that the curative and preventive measures for heart disease are been taken in the early stages. The earlier you detect the risk, the better your chances are of reversing them.

You Can Slow Heart Disease Down Or Even Prevent It

The first thing everyone needs to do is to look at their family history and see if they have an opportunity of inheriting coronary heart disease or any other disease that will put their health at risk. Even people who have heart disease can slow or reverse the disease. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating habits is one way you can make a difference. Eating healthy foods like fruit, whole grains, fiber and a whole lot of vitamins and minerals will do the trick.

Also avoiding unhealthy foods like junk food will make a big difference. These foods have saturated fats, hydrogenated oils and trans fats you must not eat, as it will contribute to an unhealthy heart. These fats and oils will also contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis increasing your chances of heart disease. There are other thing you can do to reduce your chances of developing the CAD disease.

You can improve your health by including exercise in your daily regime. This will help you stay fit and agile, and has a wonderful effect on you heart and its arteries.