How common is coronary artery disease?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Many people, especially when they're young, worry more about hangnails than they do about the health of their arteries. But consider this: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in every developed country. Every American, Asian, and European has a 40 percent chance of dying of heart disease and a 50 percent chance that his or her quality of life will be damaged by arterial aging disease.
When you realize that arterial aging affects a lot more than the arteries going to your heart, the importance of arterial health becomes clearer. Damaged arteries slow down your memory, your other organs' ability to function, and your sex life. In other words, they slow you down.
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Many people, especially when they're young, worry more about hangnails than they do about the health of their arteries. But consider this: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in every developed country. Every American, Asian, and... More -
Dole Nutrition Institute answered:More than 80 million adults in the United States are afflicted by heart disease, the country’s leading cause of death. It takes more than 800,000 lives each year. Just under 500,000 of those fatalities result from a heart attack; nearly 150,000 from a stroke; and the remainder are from cardiac arrhythmia, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, congenital defects and other heart disorders.
A tragic aspect of these figures is that 80 percent of heart disease cases are preventable. Smoking, for instance, is a major contributor, raising blood pressure, generating free-radical damage and aggravating other risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Smoking more than doubles the risk for sudden cardiac death; and yet just one year after someone quits, their risk of having a heart attack is cut in half. Obesity, poor nutrition and chronic stress are other high-risk factors that could be mitigated by diet and exercise. Even for those who are born with heart disease (congenital heart disease) or are genetically predisposed to it, lifestyle choices can make the difference between keeping the condition manageable and letting it become debilitating.Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulMore than 80 million adults in the United States are afflicted by heart disease, the country’s leading cause of death. It takes more than 800,000 lives each year. Just under 500,000 of those fatalities result from a heart attack; nearly... More -
Dr. Sameer Sayeed answered:Coronary artery disease is one of the most common diseases worldwide and is an epidemic with the frequency increasing worldwide, likely due to high fat, fast food diets, increasing obesity and smoking. The current prevalence in the US is about 7% of the US population or over 16 million people.Coronary artery disease is one of the most common diseases worldwide and is an epidemic with the frequency increasing worldwide, likely due to high fat, fast food diets, increasing obesity and smoking. The current prevalence in the US is about 7% of... More
