Heart Disease

Heart disease is a broad term that includes several more specific heart conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, arrhythmias, heart failure, aortic aneurysm, and others. Heart disease is a serious condition. About 5 million people in the U.S. have this disease. It contributes to 300,000 deaths each year. Heart disease can be caused by several factors. The most contributing factors of heart disease in western society are heredity, cholesterol, life style, and stress.

Heredity (including race) is the major cause of heart disease in the western society. For example, African Americans have more severe high blood pressure therefore a higher risk of heart disease. It is also higher among Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans. This is partly due to higher rates of obesity and diabetes. People with a history of heart disease in the family have bigger chance to inherit it

Cholesterol is an important substance which is needed by the body but it can be harmful it it’s too much. It is produced by liver or consumed from food. The rate at which the body processes cholesterol and the consumption of high-cholesterol food (such as ham, eggs, fast food, junk food), can cause the excessive amount of cholesterol in one’s body. In this case cholesterol is deposited in arteries, including those of the heart. This can lead to narrowing of the arteries and to causing heart disease.

An unhealthy lifestyle is a factor for coronary heart disease. Unhealthy lifestyle such as lack of exercise, alcohol drinking, smoking, and high-cholesterol food consumption can cause high blood pressure or obesity; which can lead to heart disease. Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity helps to prevent heart and blood vessel disease. This, plus eating healthy food, can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, as well as help lower blood pressure in some people.

A research in U.S has noted there is a relationship between stress and heart attack. The state of stress may not be classified as the real factor of heart disease but it can establish other factors. For example people under stress may overeat, start smoking, and drinking alcohol. Western society lives in condition where stress could come easily, because of high level of pollution, stressful business, etc...

For conclusion, heart disease can be caused by many factors. Some factors that may contribute more heart disease in western society are heredity, cholesterol, unhealthy lifestyle, and stress. Some factor may treat or control but some others may not. Generally, heart disease can be treated. But it is far wiser to prevent it by reducing the risk.