Lack of exercise as a cause of coronary heart disease
An unhealthy diet is not a direct risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease. However, a low-fiber, high-fat, high-calorie diet with a low intake of fruit and vegetables leads to numerous secondary diseases, which in turn can be a risk factor for the development of heart disease. Long-term unhealthy nutrition, for example, often leads to overweight.
Overweight is a risk factor for numerous diseases, including coronary heart disease. In addition, a permanently unbalanced high-fat diet can lead to increased blood lipids (hypercholesterolemia). Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease and should be treated in time. Indirectly, an unhealthy diet can have an influence on the cardiovascular system and the development of coronary heart disease.
Risk factors
Since the most common cause of coronary heart disease is atherosclerosis, the risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease are largely identical to those for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries): The following factors increase the risk of coronary heart disease
- Increased total cholesterol in the blood
- Elevated blood levels of lipoprotein a
- Age: The risk of CHD increases from 30 years of age for men and from menopause for women.
- Gender: Before the age of 60, men have twice as high a risk of developing CHD as women; after the age of 60, the risks for both sexes are equal.
- Overweight
- Low physical activity
- Diabetes mellitus
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Psychological and social factors: Studies have shown that stress and low social status are associated with an increased risk of CHD.
- Genetic predisposition:If CHD has already occurred in the family, the risk of cardiovascular events such as CHD, heart attack or sudden cardiac death is higher for family members.
