Coronary Artery Disease Health Article

Avoid recreational drugs

Do not smoke or use tobacco. Smoking has many adverse effects on the heart. It increases the heart rate, constricts major arteries, and can create irregular heartbeats. It raises blood pressure, contributes to the development of plaque, increases the formation of blood clots, and causes blood platelets to cluster and impede blood flow. Heart damage caused by smoking can be repaired by quitting. Even heavy smokers can return to heart health. Several studies have shown that ex-smokers face the same risk of heart disease as non-smokers within five to 10 years after they quit.

Drink in moderation. Modest consumption of alcohol may actually protect against coronary artery disease because alcohol appears to raise levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. The American Heart Association defines moderate consumption as one ounce of alcohol per day, roughly one cocktail, one 8-ounce glass of wine, or two 12-ounce glasses of beer. However, even moderate drinking can increase risk factors for heart disease for some people (by raising blood pressure, for example). Excessive drinking is always bad for the heart. It usually raises blood pressure and can poison the heart and cause abnormal heart rhythms or even heart failure.

Do not use other recreational drugs. Commonly used recreational drugs, particularly cocaine and "crack," can seriously harm the heart and should never be used.

Seek treatment for hypertension

High blood pressure, one of the most common and serious risk factors for coronary artery disease, can be completely controlled through lifestyle changes and medication. Moderate hypertension can be controlled by reducing dietary intake of sodium and fat, exercising regularly, managing stress, abstaining from smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation. People for whom these changes do not work or people with severe hypertension may be helped by many categories of medication.

Manage stress

Everyone experiences stress, the mental and physical reaction to life's irritations and challenges. Stress can sometimes be avoided and when it is inevitable, it can be controlled. Techniques for controlling stress include: taking life more slowly, spending more time with family and friends, thinking positively, getting enough sleep, exercising, and practicing relaxation techniques.

BOOKS

American Heart Association and American Cancer Society. Living Well, Staying Well. New York: Time Books, 1996.

DeBakey Michael E., and Antonio M. Gotto Jr. "Coronary Artery Disease," and "Surgical Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease." In The New Living Heart. Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corporation, 1997.

"Heart Disease." In New Choices in Natural Healing, ed. Bill Gottlieb, et al. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1995.

"Heart Disease." In The Complete Family Guide to Alternative Medicine, ed. C. Norman Shealy. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1996.

"Heart Problems." In The Alternative Advisor: The Complete Guide to Natural Therapies & Alternative Treatments. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1997.

Notelovitz, Morris, and Diana Tonnessen. The Essential Heart Book for Women. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996.

Texas Heart Institute. "Coronary Artery Disease, Angina, and Heart Attacks." In Texas Heart Institute Heart Owner's Handbook. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.

PERIODICALS

"Exercise Stress Test: A Simple Way to Spot Heart Disease." Mayo Clinic Health Letter (Sept. 1996).

"More Evidence for Infection as a Cause of Heart Disease." Harvard Heart Letter 7 (Feb. 1997): 6-7.

"Women and Heart Disease" Harvard Women's Health Watch 4 (July 1997): 4-5.

Zamula, Evelyn. "Balloons to Bypass Bypass Surgery." FDA Consumer 22 (1 May 1988): 24-27.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Heart Association. 7320 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231. (214) 373-6300. <http://www.americanheart.org>.

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105. (301) 251-1222. <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov>.

Texas Heart Institute. Heart Information Service. P.O. Box 20345, Houston, TX 77225-0345. <http://www.tmc.edu/thi>.

OTHER

"Facts About Coronary Heart Disease." National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 27 Nov. 1998. 3 Mar. 1998 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm>.

"Heart and Stroke 1998 Update." American Heart Association. 3 Mar. 1998 <http://www.americanheart.org>.

Lori De Milto