Chronic heart disease - Essay Example

This is a slowly progressing condition that ultimately acts to restrict blood flow to the heart, thus the supply of oxygen to the brain and body. More formally known coronary artery disease, the build-up of plaque in the arteries, atherosclerosis, narrows and hardens the arterial passages. Fats and cholesterol are the main substances found in plaque (“Heart Disease FAQs”, 2007). Heart diseases can also be congenital (born with the disease), caused by an abnormality of the heart valves, arrhythmia (an electrical malfunction within the heart) or a deteriorating of the heart’s ability to pump effectively because of toxins or infection (“Heart Disease”, 2005).

Heart disease causes the deaths of nearly one million people in the U.S. every year, accounting for more than 40 percent of total fatalities. It is the primary cause of death worldwide among both women and men. The American Heart Association reports that “cardiovascular disease accounts for more deaths per year in the United States than the next six causes of death combined” (“Heart Disease Overview”, 2007). Nine controllable factors are the basis for almost all instances of heart disease.

Diet and exercise are two and will be discussed more at length following a brief discussion of the other seven. Obesity, particularly of the abdomen, more than doubles the risk for heart disease. A large ‘tummy’ causes hormonal issues which produces high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, all of which puts the individual at greater risk. Having diabetes or abnormally high cholesterol quadruples the risk for heart disease. High blood pressure triples the risk. The moderate use of alcohol (one drink per day) actually reduces the risk for heart disease, by 12 percent for men and an amazing 60 percent for women.

Drinking too much promotes heart disease. The inability to successfully manage the stresses of everyday life which