The Main Causes
of Heart Disease

Top Causes of Heart Disease

Though several risk factors contribute to heart disease, there are four factors that cause the most cases and heart disease-related deaths. Below is an overview of each of those four factors.

High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are the leading causes of heart disease, stroke and heart disease-related deaths worldwide, as both cause damage to the lining of the arteries. When the lining to the arteries sustain damage, they become more susceptible to plaque build-up, which narrows the arteries that transport blood to and from the heart and brain. As a result, both do not receive an adequate amount of blood flow. Decreased blood flow to the heart can cause damage to the muscle and, eventually, angina, or chest pain, which is the beginning sign of a heart attacks. When blood flow to the brain decreases, the brain becomes starved of nutrients, which can lead to a rapid malfunctioning of brain cells and eventual stroke.

High blood pressure is a prevalent problem around the world. In fact, in South Africa, hypertension is being called “the silent killer,” afflicting as much as 45% of men and 48% of women over the age of 15. The CDC defines high blood pressure as a reading at or above 130/80 mmHg. Of these millions of adults, just one in four take serious measures to get their high blood pressure under control.

According to the data, as many as seven in 10 individuals who first have a heart attack and eight in 10 people who first have a stroke have high blood pressure.

High levels of the bad cholesterol — LDL — can also increase a person’s risk of heart disease and heart-related complications. Too much bad cholesterol can build up in the walls of the arteries and limit blood flow to the heart, brain, kidneys and other organs, thereby leading to dysfunction across all parts of the body. Though most individuals who live with high cholesterol can benefit from taking medications to manage it, only a little more than half do.

Managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol

Managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels does not have to be hard. However, it does require substantial lifestyle changes. One of the best things you can do to get your blood pressure under control is to reduce your salt intake.

The average South African over the age of two consumes between six and 11 grams of sodium per day, which is more than double the recommended daily dose of 5 grams. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or both, you can notice considerable improvement in your numbers in as little as two weeks by adopting a low sodium diet. Some other steps you can take to improve your numbers and overall health are as follows:

• Get active. Health professionals recommend that healthy adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate to intensive exercise per week, combined with two days of strength training.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Talk to your doctor about weight goals for your size, gender, age and current health status.
• Take your medications as recommended.

Diabetes

Diabetes is the second leading cause of heart disease. According to the data, adults who live with diabetes are two times more likely to develop heart disease and/or have a stroke than those who do not. This is because, over time, the high blood sugar from diabetes causes considerable damage to the blood vessels. As the damage grows worse — which often happens when diabetes is left unmanaged — the blood vessels that lead to the heart and brain become blocked, which can cause stroke.

Diabetes in and of itself is a major risk factor for heart disease. However, diabetes also causes high blood pressure. In fact, more than two out of three people who have diabetes also have high blood pressure. It is not uncommon for diabetics to also live with high LDL levels.

Obesity, Physical Inactivity and an Unhealthy Diet

Obesity, physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet typically go hand-in-hand. Likewise, they are all major risk factors for several chronic illnesses, including high blood pressure and diabetes. It goes without saying, then, that these three factors are common causes of heart disease.

With healthy lifestyle choices, you can quickly attain and maintain a healthy weight. Types of lifestyle choices that can both help you lose weight and, in the process, reduce your risk of developing heart disease and other chronic illnesses are as follows:

• Increase your level of physical activity, as inactivity can increase a person’s risk for heart disease even when no other risk factors are present. Inactivity also contributes to the development of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• Increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins and fat-free or low-fat dairy products you eat while decreasing the amount of trans-fats, saturated fats, sodium and added sugars in your diet. The former group of foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, high in fibre and often full of antioxidants, all attributes that can have positive effects on your overall health. The foods in the latter group, however, contribute to inflammation, higher blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, weight gain and other adverse health outcomes.
• Limit your portion sizes, as by serving yourself smaller portions, you can avoid mindlessly overindulging and, instead, eat only what your body needs.

If you need help obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight, or if you are not quite sure what weight is considered “healthy” for your age, gender and body type, consult with your doctor and a dietician.

Smoking

Smoking is the fourth leading cause of heart disease, accounting for one in every four heart disease and stroke-related deaths. Cigarette smoke is harmful to the body in many ways, including but not limited to the following:

• It makes the blood sticky and more likely to clot, which can hinder blood flow to the brain and heart.
• It raises triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood) while simultaneously lowering high-density lipoproteins (HDL) — otherwise known as the “good” cholesterol.
• It increases plaque build-up (calcium, cholesterol, fat and other harmful substances) in the blood vessels.
• It causes damage to the cells that line the blood vessels.

Even if you do not smoke, you are at risk experiencing of these harmful effects. Second-hand smoke is almost as harmful as first-hand inhalation, causing approximately 1.2 million premature deaths each year globally. Not only that, but second-hand smoke raises a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke by between 25% and 30% and 20% and 30%, respectively.

Second-hand smoke, like direct inhalation, wreaks havoc on the body. Exposure interferes with the normal functioning of the blood, vascular systems and heart in ways that increase a person’s risk of having a heart attack. Even minimal exposure has the potential to cause platelets to become stickier and to damage the lining of the blood vessels. These effects can be dangerous even for persons without other risk factors. However, for those with several heart disease risk factors, or for those who already have heart disease, the effects of second-hand smoke can be deadly.

As with actually smoking a cigarette, the longer you allow yourself to be exposed to second-hand smoke, the more damaging the effects will become. For this reason, if you know people who smoke, avoid being around them when they light up. If you smoke yourself, get the help you need to quit, as the benefits of quitting sooner rather than later are exponential. For instance, after just one to two years of not smoking, you can cut your risk of developing heart disease by as much as half.

Other Potential Causes

While these four — high blood pressure and high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and smoking — are the top four causes of heart disease, other risk factors play a role in your overall heart health. Some factors that are directly linked to heart disease are as follows:

• Sex: Though the risk for heart disease increases for women after menopause, men typically have a higher risk than their counterparts.
• Age: As with most other diseases, the risk for developing heart disease increases with age.
• Stress: Poorly managed or unrelieved stress can damage the arteries and aggravate other risk factors for heart disease.
• Family History: Persons who come from families with histories of heart disease have higher risks of developing heart problems as well. This is particularly true when a parent developed heart disease at a younger age — meaning before 55 for men and 65 for women.
• Poor Dental Health: Unhealthy teeth and gums make it easy for harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream and make its way to the heart. If bacteria from the mouth does travel to the heart, it can trigger endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart’s inner-lining. This is just one of many reasons to brush and floss twice daily and to make your scheduled check-ups.

Heart disease is a prevalent, costly and life-threatening problem that countries across the globe face. Educating individuals on the risk factors that contribute to heart disease is one of the most effective and efficient ways of combatting the issue. You can be a part of the solution by educating yourself on the top causes of heart disease and doing your part to reduce your risk of developing heart disease or related conditions.