Description

Dr. David Katz explains the dangers of heart disease and how to protect yourself.

Transcript

Dr. David Katz: Most of the time when we say heart disease what we mean is coronary artery disease that's atherosclerosis plugging up the coronary arteries which are the conduits the heart uses to give blood to itself. If those coronary arteries get plugged up it diminishes the heart's ability to meet its own demands for oxygen. And if that ischemia that lack of oxygen goes on long enough, part of the heart muscle actually dies and that's a heart attack or myocardial infarction. And it really is a modern scourge; it's the leading cause of death in the Untied States in men and woman alike. There are early warning signs in a combination of a physical exam and blood work we can detect important risk factors for heart disease they can be managed so that heart attack never happens. We've had evidence in the scientific literature from the better part of 20 years that lifestyle is overwhelmingly important in determining medical destiny if you eat well fruits, vegetables, whole grains on a regular basis if you are physically active, if you don't smoke and if you maintain your weight, you reduce your heart disease risk by fully 80%.