Cardiovascular disease remains our leading health problem despite numerous advances and a decade of declining results; it is still the leading cause of death in INDIA and many other countries. Millions of people have no symptoms; in fact, many do not know that they have potentially serious illness until they suffer a heart attack, stroke or sudden death.

Until the middle of this century, most people regarded heart disease as an inevitable part of aging or the result of events that people had no control over, such as rheumatic fever or congenital defects. This opinion has changed as a result of number of large scale population (Epidemiologic) studies in which life style and pattern of disease are investigated. One of the most notable and quoted of these has been the Framingham Heart Study, which have identified a number of life style habits and other factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The lifestyle modification is the simplest, cheapest and the most effective way for prevention and reversal of coronary artery disease (the progressive narrowing of the blood vessel that nourish the heart muscle). Not only that it improves the total health, enhances overall survival and better the quality of life.

Eating should be pleasurable and fun. Whilst there is no such thing as good or a bad food, some foods can be eaten more frequently than others. It is important that you have a sensible and balanced diet.

Grill or baked food, if you want to try avoid frying and low mono-unsaturated fatty oil like olive oil, refined mustard oil; choose lean meat, poultry and fish. Eat less saturated fat i.e. dairy products and fatty meats, like skimmed milk.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work properly. But if you have too much in your blood, it can stick to the walls of your arteries. This is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your arteries or even block them.

High levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of heart disease. Your cholesterol levels tend to rise as you get older. There are usually no signs or symptoms that you have high blood cholesterol, but it can be detected with a blood test. You are likely to have high cholesterol if members of your family have it, if you are overweight or if you eat a lot of fatty foods.

You can lower your cholesterol by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables. You also may need to take medicine to lower your cholesterol.

Triglycerides are a type of fat in the bloodstream and fat tissue. Too much of this type of fat can contribute to the hardening and narrowing of your arteries. This puts you at risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Diseases such as diabetes, obesity, kidney failure or alcoholism can cause high triglycerides. Often, high triglycerides occur along with high levels of cholesterol, another type of fat.

Reduce your sugar intake – try fruits for deserts. Eat less salt .Above all remember that occasional treat will not do any harm. It is the food that you eat regularly which is important.

Although most people are well aware of the association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer and other pulmonary disease, may still don’t realize that smoking is also major risk factor in heart attacks. If you do smoke then now is the time to give up. The good news is that the effects of giving up are dramatic. Within one year of giving up cigarettes, the risk of coronary artery disease is reduced. Smokers often ask whether low fat, low nicotine cigarette reduce the cardiovascular risk? The answer appears to be “NO”. In fact some of the filter cigarettes increase the amount of carbon mono oxide that is inhaled, making them worse for heart that unfiltered brands.

Recently there have been several reports stating that the risk of Coronary artery disease is reduced by drinking small quantities of alcohol regularly. However, it is known that drinking large quantities of alcohol can increase the risk of Coronary artery disease. Heavy consumption of alcohol increases weight gain and blood pressure. If you are taking medication it is wise to check with your doctor that alcohol will not affect it. Avoid large amounts of alcohol in one sitting – the higher the concentration of alcohol in the blood, the more damaging to the body. It can contribute to high triglycerides, cancer and other diseases and produce irregular heart beats.

Exercise not only matter you look and feel better, it has positive benefits for your health. It improves circulation, help lower your blood pressure and improve blood cholesterol levels and make blood clots less likely to occur.

At first you may fell nervous about exercising and then is only natural. However, the heart is a muscle and like any other muscle need exercise to keep it in a good condition.

Initially exercise should be gentle. Then gradually increase the stronger and more confident you become. Get the whole family involved in a sensible and regular program of exercise. Exercise does not have to involve buying fancy equipment or joining expensive health clubs. It can be as simple as brisk walk for half an hour 3-5 times a week, regular swimming or doing the gardening. Remember; always discuss your exercise program with your doctors, as they will be able to advise you on the amount and type of exercise you should be taking.

A recent report from the Framingham Heart Study asserted that obesity should be considered a major cardiovascular risk factor in its own right, rather than are that contribute to other risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension ( High BP ), as has been the tendency in the past. It is important to keep your weight within the recommended range, carrying excess weight increase the work of your heart. If you have a problem your doctor may suggest specialist help from a dietician.

Stress comes in many forms. Moving house, getting married, loss of job or illness, the death of spouse or child call all cause Stress. However, it is important to note that what is stressful to a person may be stimulating to another. It is not always the situation that makes you feel stressed, but the way you react to it. For example some people react to stress by tuning to cigarette or eating conventional foods rather than preparing healthier meals.

Whilst there is no medical evidence that stress causes heart disease, doctors believe that it can contribute in some way. What doctors do agree on is that too much stress can be bad for you, particularly if you are recovering from an illness.

There is no easy way to beat stress and the suggestions given are just starting points to help you. What works for one person may not work for another, so just choose what you think might help.

Many hospitals run a cardiac rehabilitation program and provide relaxation training. Many people find there techniques very helpful. You could also consider Yoga or medication. Some people relax by taking a brisk walk, reading a book or by listening to music.

Exercise is the great stress beater. Everyday activities can help you to keep fit, climb the stairs instead of taking the lift and walk instead of taking the bus. Make sure you choose an exercise that you enjoy.

Hypertension is the medical term used to describe an elevated resting blood pressure. If the blood pressure is too high over an extended period of time, the arteries will be damaged. The detrimental effects usually take years to become apparent and by that time the consequence may be irreversible. Many studies have identified hypertension as a leading risk factor in heart attacks; it is also the major case of stroke. Home monitoring of blood pressure is useful for both patient and physician. By keeping track of daily or weekly changes in blood pressure, you can help your doctor determine weather you should take medication to lower it or if the drugs you are taking are working. Often blood pressure readings in doctor’s clinic will be higher than those taken at home. Once a patient has learned to monitor his or her own blood pressure, it may not be necessary to make repeated trips to doctor’s clinic simply for a blood pressure measurement.

Diabetes is well known independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In patients with Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular disease causes approximately 70% of all deaths. According to population – based surveys in the United States, while diabetic adults patients have an aged adjusted prevalence of 45% for Coronary Artery Disease, whereas their non diabetic counter parts have a prevalence of 25% in India, westernization has increased the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome and overall risk of diabetes is 4 times more in urban than rural areas.

People with poorly controlled diabetes tend to have a wide range of related complication, including high blood lipids, coronary disease and other circulatory disease affecting both the large arteries (e.g. Arteriosclerosis) and the microcirculation leading to hemorrhages of the tiny blood vessels in the eye and diminished circulation to extremities especially the feet. Most diabetes experts believe the risk of these complications can be diminished by maintaining normal levels of blood sugar. This requires careful attention to diet and exercise and in patients 4 who require insulin an anti diabetic drugs, careful self-monitoring to ensure the proper dosages.

People often without any cardiac symptoms like chest pain on exertion, breathlessness, palpitation may suffer a heart attack and to identify such asymptomatic individuals with underlying coronary artery disease, few cardiac screening tests are recommended such as blood lipid profile. Fasting blood sugar, echo-cardiogram & treadmill test. These have to be done at regular intervals to help identify the potential risk of cardiovascular disease prematurely that it can be prevented taking adequate measures.