Our pages are created to provide medically accurate information that is intended to complement, not replace or substitute in any way the services of your physician. Any application of the recommendations set forth in the following pages is at the reader's discretion and sole risk. Before undergoing medical treatment, you should consult with your doctor, who can best assess your individual needs, symptoms and treatment.

HEART DISEASE

Select good nutrition as the best prevention to heart disease.

"Heart Disease" is a name that applies to a number of factors that affect the cardiovascular system - the heart and blood vessels. The most common one is "atherosclerosis" which is an accumulation of cholesterol and fatty deposits in the artery wall.

As cholesterol combines with other blood flow to the hearth is stopped, this is called a heart attack.

If the blockage is leading to the brain, this is called a stroke. A blockage of blood flow to the legs is called claudication.

RISK FACTORS

There are risk factors in every person's life that can contribute to heart disease. It is up to you to improve your overall health and reduce the possibility of heart attack or stroke by reducing or eliminating those factors below which can be changed or controlled.

Uncontrolled Risk Factors	Controllable Risk Factors
Family history of heart disease	Poor eating habits
Sex	Excess weight or obesity
Increasing age	Elevated blood cholesterol
.	Smoking
.	Excess Alcohol
.	Lack of Exercise
.	Stress
.	Diabetes
.	High blood pressure

GUIDE TO BETTER EATING FOR HEALTHY ADULTS

1. Eat a nutritious, well balanced diet that includes variety within each food group.

2. Achieve and maintain your desirable weight by controlling your daily calorie or kilo joule intake.

3. Limit your fat intake to 30 % or less of your total daily calories. Reduce the saturated fats and/or replace them with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats.

4. Reduce your daily cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams.

5. Reduce your intake of salt, sugar, and alcohol. Diet cannot cure but can help to control the development of heart disease.