Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is a global health problem. In industrialized nations, it is one of the leading causes of death (in the United States alone, 1 out of 4 people die from CAD annually). Worldwide, it is a factor in half of all deaths from non-communicable diseases.

Why Should You Be Concerned About CAD?

Also called Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), CAD can be deadly because it involves damage to one of the most important organs in your body—your heart. CAD happens when the interior wall of the arteries that supply blood, oxygen, and other nutrients to your heart become lined with cholesterol and other material, known as plaque. Over time, these arteries may become hardened and narrow and less able to deliver what your heart needs to stay strong. This condition, known as atherosclerosis, can lead to angina (chest pain), heart failure (the heart is too weak to pump blood properly), or arrhythmia (irregular heart rate or rhythm). Sometimes a hardened artery may crack or tear, resulting in a blood clot. Most heart attacks occur when a blood clot of this kind blocks off the blood supply and oxygen to the heart. Signs of CAD include: chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue, palpitations (sensations of fluttering heartbeats), and lightheadedness.

You Can Lower Your Risk — Starting Today!

Fortunately, making some simple changes to your lifestyle can significantly lower your risk of CAD. For instance, you can:

• Change your diet. Lowering your intake of fat and cholesterol may help to slow the onset of atherosclerosis, while increasing your intake of plant-based proteins has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Become physically active. Regular moderate exercise will strengthen your heart and improve circulation.
• Use targeted supplements. Certain nutrients, including CoQ10, L-Arginine, and others have been shown to be beneficial for cardiovascular health.

If you're concerned about CAD or just want to improve your overall cardiovascular health, talk to your healthcare provider. He or she can help you develop a therapeutic lifestyle plan to get back on the road to optimal health.