| Coronary atherosclerosis or so-called coronary heart | | | | Some cholesterol is needed for good health, but too |
| disease is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries | | | | much in your blood can raise your risk of having a |
| that supply blood to the heart muscle. It is the major | | | | heart attack. Large deposits of cholesterol can |
| cause of heart attacks. It is also responsible for a | | | | completely block an artery. If an artery that supplies |
| number of deaths from heart failure in America. The | | | | blood to your brain is blocked, a possible stroke will |
| total cost of coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary | | | | occur. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) deliver cholesterol |
| angioplasty, medications and hospitalizations surpasses | | | | to the body, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) remove |
| 50 billion dollars annually, some experts say. There are | | | | cholesterol from the bloodstream. Too much LDL |
| some simple things you can do to keep your heart | | | | cholesterol is bad for the body because it builds up in |
| healthy: | | | | the arteries, while the HDL form is good because it |
| 1. Take care of your diet | | | | helps remove cholesterol from the bloodstream. |
| Twice a week, make a plan to have salmon, tuna and | | | | 4. Exercising on a regular basis |
| sardines for your daily nutrients. These foods are rich | | | | Exercise offers many benefits. Firstly, it strengthens |
| in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are super | | | | the heart muscle and at the same time it improves the |
| healthy for your heart. It is found that potato chips, | | | | circulation of blood into your arteries. Secondly, it |
| French fries are rich in fats and they cause plaque to | | | | balances your weight, controls your blood pressure |
| build into your system. Instead, eat heart-friendly foods | | | | then helps reduce your stress. Thirdly, it also raises |
| like walnut, whole grains and soya. Also eat more | | | | high-density lipoprotein (HDL), "good cholesterol" that |
| vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains. | | | | whisks fat away from arterial walls. Heart specialists |
| 2. Know your blood pressure and have your diabetes | | | | suggest: "Besides eating appropriate foods such as |
| tested | | | | vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains, it is also |
| High blood pressure is very bad for your heart. Have | | | | necessary to walk-out at least 30 minutes a day." |
| your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure | | | | These steps are very simple to follow. Not only they |
| everything is fine. Take the necessary steps to control | | | | will help you stay physically healthy, but also you will |
| your blood pressure if it is too high. You need to have | | | | live longer and have a better life. This also is very |
| your diabetes under surveillance because high level of | | | | important: "When difficulties or unforeseen |
| glucose in your blood can affect your heart. | | | | consequences hit, stay calm in order to control your |
| 3. Have your cholesterol level under control | | | | stress level and maintain a healthy heart. |