In this Article

• Introduction
• What is atherosclerosis?
• What are coronary heart diseases (CHD)?
• What is angina pectoris?
• What is a heart attack?
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Heart failure
• What is cerebral vascular disease?
• Ischemic stroke
• Hemorrhagic stroke
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• When does the coronary atherosclerosis process begin?
• Have most people done enough to prevent atherosclerosis and heart attacks?
• What are the risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis and heart disease?
• How can coronary atherosclerosis and heart attacks be prevented?
• Heart Attack and Atherosclerosis Prevention Glossary
• Heart Attack and Atherosclerosis Prevention Index

How can coronary atherosclerosis and heart attacks be prevented?

One can help to prevent atherosclerosis and reduce heart attack risks by:

• Controlling high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus;
  
  
• Never smoking or stopping cigarette smoking;
  
  
• Exercising regularly;
  
  
• Losing excess weight;
  
  
• Lowering blood levels of LDL cholesterol;
  
  
• Increasing blood levels of HDL cholesterol;
  
  
• Lowering blood levels of lipoprotein A cholesterol and triglycerides;
  
  
• Increasing LDL cholesterol particle sizes;
  
  
• Taking anti-platelet medications (such as low dose aspirin) to prevent blood clots;
  
  
• Consuming antioxidants to prevent blood vessel damage (however, not scientifically proven to date);
  
  
• Consuming folic acid and other B vitamins to decrease blood levels of homocysteine(however, not scientifically proven to date); and

Many of the measures that prevent coronary atherosclerosis also benefit other arteries such as carotid arteries and cerebral arteries (arteries that supply blood to the brain). Therefore, these measures also prevent strokes.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Beta Blockers - Learn more about Beta Blockers, a drug that treats angina and other heart rhythm disorders, migraines, high blood pressure, panic attacks, and tremors. Generic and brand names are included in the article.
• Homocysteine - Read about the test for homocysteine levels in the blood. High levesl of homocysteine include increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, and Alzheimer's disease.
• High Blood Pressure - Learn about high blood pressure symptoms like headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, blurred vision and more. Causes, and normal blood pressure information is included.

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