Causes of Coronary Heart Disease
Major causes include smoking (carbon monoxide and nicotine strain the heart), high blood pressure, high cholesterol (fatty deposits in blood vessels), high lipoproteins, lack of physical activity, diabetes (doubles the risk), and thrombosis (blood clots preventing blood supply to the heart) (NHS, 2024).
Prevention Strategies
Prevention involves a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish; at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly; smoking cessation through counseling and behavioral interventions; and hypertension management through non-pharmacological interventions (Regmi & Siccardi, 2023).
References
- NHS. (2024). Coronary heart disease - Causes. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/causes/
- Regmi, M., & Siccardi, M. A. (2023). Coronary artery disease prevention. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547760/
Related: See our hypertension pathophysiology or wellness prevention strategies.