Journal Article Review: Dyslipidemia and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

Our knowledge about the role of lifestyle behaviour on health and disease is one of the effective
ways to stay away from acquiring detrimental diseases. The main contributory factors that are
linked to coronary heart disease are the negated culprits of our unhealthy habits. These diseases
are more common especially in our country because of the relentless feasts and craving for food
that are sumptuous and real heaven satisfying. However, this is a blind spot to the curves of heap
of heart problems that could kill many and end up on the terminal lane of life.

As I read through the article, I have realized that the body’s condition is just only an aftermath of
wrong decisions in not taking care our health. So, I listed my personal ways to sheer the bad
habits.

Let’s get physical…….

Physical activity has also been studied for decades as a possible behavioural characteristic, mainly
for the promotion of cardiovascular health. Many of the early studies were related to working
physical activity, but later the approach was radically changed by studying leisure time physical
activity, due to the drastic reduction of motion habits related to work occurring mainly in western
societies. Present knowledge has led to the conclusion that a certain amount of physical activity is
protective against coronary heart disease, perhaps other cardiovascular conditions and other
diseases. There has been much discussion in order to identify the minimum levels of activity that
are useful for protection and are also safe.

Physical activity produces its beneficial effects through mechanisms that involve the physiology of
the cardiocirculatory system and glucose and lipid metabolism in general, and the coagulation
process.

Diet is the key…….

The initial hypothesis was linked to the relationship of saturated fatty acids on serum cholesterol
and of serum cholesterol on the occurrence of coronary events. Initial findings based on ecological
analyses showed the strong relationship of saturated fat intake with coronary heart disease
incidence and mortality across different populations of different cultures. Later, the approach
turned to the dietary pattern analysis of food groups, that prompted the identification of the so-
called Mediterranean Diet, roughly characterised by a predominance of plant versus animal food
intake. Such a diet seems beneficial against several morbid conditions, including coronary heart
disease, cancer and others. Certainly, many mechanisms intervene in the process, linked at least
to the influence on lipid metabolism, the coagulation process and the antioxidant properties of the
Mediterranean Diet.

An additional important point, that is not always focused on the description of the proper diet, is the
need to reduce the daily consumption of salt . Presently, in most populations, its use exceeds (by
two times) the physiological needs, favouring the elevation of blood pressure and perhaps the
evolution of atherosclerosis. There is indeed increasing evidence for additional blood pressure-
independent pathways linking excess salt intake to the process of atherosclerosis, and some meta-
analyses of randomized controlled trials have shown that a moderate reduction of salt intake is
associated with a reduction of blood pressure and, consequently, with a reduction of
cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in hypertensive individuals . However, the response of
patients to
Another important point, frequently ignored, is the adverse effect of trans fatty acids that are
artificially produced and introduced in prepared foods, although this is a declining trend, at least in
some countries. Labels of food composition must be the guidance for avoiding its use.

Stop smoking…..

The role of cigarette smoking on health and disease has been explored for decades, and was
among the first behavioural types to be studied. The universal conclusions led to its strong,
probably causal, association with the occurrence of lung cancer, and probably other cancer sites,
coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions, chronic bronchitis and allied
conditions.

Cigarette smoking is not a physiological habit and in contrast it has taken an enormous amount of
effort to reach some partial results in some countries, but not everywhere.