FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Link Between Smoking and Heart Disease?
About 30% of heart disease-related deaths in the U.S. are directly attributed to cigarette smoking. Smoking is a major cause of atherosclerosis. Nicotine in smoke leads to:
– Reduced oxygen supply to the heart.
– Elevated blood pressure and heart rate.
– Increased blood clotting.
– Damage to cells lining coronary arteries and other blood vessels.
Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease
– Unmodifiable Risk Factors:
– Being male.
– Being a woman who is past menopause.
– Advancing age.
– Having a family history of heart attack or coronary artery disease.
Modifiable Risk Factors:
– Smoking.
– High cholesterol.
– High blood pressure.
– Lack of exercise.
– Obesity.
– Diabetes.
– Unhealthy diet.
– Stress.
– By improving habits, you can reduce your risk of heart attack or angina¹.
Dietary Changes to Reduce Heart Disease Risk
– A heart-healthy diet can help:
– Lower total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
– Reduce blood pressure.
– Control blood sugar.
– Aid weight loss.
Tips:
– Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
– Cut trans fats from your diet.
– Swap saturated fats for unsaturated ones.
– Choose lean sources of protein (chicken, fish, soy).
– Limit red meat.
– Opt for complex carbohydrates (whole-grain bread, rice, pasta) and avoid simple sugars¹.
