The Process Of CAD And Free Radicals Which Cause Heart Diseases

By the DoItYourself.com Staff

The Explicit Need

People are unaware of why and how a heart attack happens. This article explains to the common man and a patient how small little things in due course inter-relates and cause major troubles to the heart. Since medical expenses are rising every day, the awareness about heart diseases can save you money as well as trauma.

The Process Of CAD

There are substances called free radicals which are present in the body. They trigger the LDL cholesterol to become harmful. This LDL cholesterol in turn starts accumulating and get deposited inside the coronary arteries. Also free radicals have a role in causing damage to the wall of the coronary artery. This gives the scope for the LDL cholesterol to get deposited at the injured site and thus cause narrowing of arteries.

The Free Radicals

Free radicals are like robbers who are always on the look out for valuables. They attack and snatch valuables from others to satisfy themselves. Similarly, free radicals are always on the lookout to attack other molecules. They are highly unstable. They do not remain in their form even for a second. In order to become stable, they attack other cells and snatch away the energy from them. In the process they cause damage to the cells. In turn, the other cell now becomes unstable as it has lost energy. Hence it attacks neighboring cells. This process leads to a chain reaction and causes harm to the body if not checked.

The Production Of Free Radicals

Body does various metabolic activities daily. Free radicals are generated during these processes. For example, Oxygen enters your body when you breathe. This oxygen reacts with the food that you eat and the water that you drink to provide you with energy. The by product of this reaction is the oxygen free radical. Not only this, you also get exposed to free radicals present in the environment like:

• Sun
• Automobile exhaust
• Exposure to heavy metals like Mercury, Cadmium, Lead etc.
• Cigarette smoke
• Alcohol consumption
• Emotional stress
• Certain food

Defense From The Attack Of Free Radicals

Of course, our body also produces natural defense substances called as Anti Oxidants which counter free radicals. Prevention is better than cure. If you want to prevent heart diseases, your first priority must be to totally eliminate the risk factors of CAD, which you can control. For example, smoking, obesity etc. However, some of the factors like age, family history etc cannot be controlled.

Antioxidants like vitamins E, C and minerals such as zinc and selenium take care of the dangerous free radicals in your body. Vitamins like B6 and B12 and Folic acid keep the levels of Homocysteine in check and protect your heart from elevated levels of the same.

The Conclusion In A Nutshell

In preventing heart problems, the awareness of CAD, the process of CAD, free radicals, their production in the body and the defense mechanism play a crucial part. This article gives an insight to the common man this awareness and useful information.

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

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