Preventing Damage To The Coronary Artery?

Answer 1

The coronary artery supplies blood directly to the heart muscle itself, and damage to this vessel can lead to degradation of the heart tissue. Most problems associated with the coronary artery are linked directly to poor dietary habits, the overweight condition and the use of tobacco products.

Causes Of A Blocked Coronary Artery

The most common reason a coronary artery can become blocked is the buildup of plaques in the blood vessel. A diet that includes high levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to an excess of this substance in the bloodstream, with the high-density lipoproteins in lower amounts and unable to remove it. This LDL cholesterol will actually line the inner walls of the coronary artery and constrict it. After a time, the plaques can break away and a blood clot will form, blocking most of the blood flow through this important artery. The heart itself now receives less nutrition and oxygen than before, and the result is a slow changing of healthy muscle tissue to useless scar tissue instead. After years of this condition, the heart can either go into spasms or stop completely.

Coronary Artery Spasms

The actual cause of this condition is not well known, but research has linked it to poor diet and the use of tobacco. The circulatory system as a whole is affected by any substance that causes a constriction of arteries, but the coronary artery is highly susceptible. In the condition known as a coronary artery spasm, the entire artery suddenly constricts, reducing the blood flow to the muscle tissue. Coronary artery spasms occur in individuals with or without the buildup of plaques in the blood vessels.

Healthy Diet Suggestions

A diet that includes a good amount of soluble fiber is one of the best ways to combat the buildup of fat and LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. Foods such as fresh fruits, whole grain breads and cereals, pasta and certain green vegetables are high in fiber and help to carry excess fat from the digestive system before it reaches the bloodstream. Also the consuming of omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in fish can also raise the levels of HDL cholesterol, eliminating some of the LDL cholesterol by transporting it to the liver, where it is broken down and rendered harmless. And aerobic exercise is the best way to strengthen the heart muscle itself. Avoiding tobacco and drinking alcohol only in moderation also relieves the circulatory system of substances that otherwise put a strain on the heart by constricting the blood vessels themselves or overexciting the nervous system.

A healthy heart and coronary artery means filling up on good nutrition and avoiding an excess of salt, fats and cholesterol. The coronary artery becomes damaged over a long period, therefore there is no time like the present to start a healthy diet routine.