Causes Of Heart Disease

There are many causes of heart disease. There is a common misconception that heart disease is a single illness. On the contrary, heart disease is a complex of various etiologies with varied numbers of causes. Damage to the heart valves or muscle may be caused by autoimmune disorders, viral, fungal, bacterial or parasitic diseases and by congenital (present at birth) defects. Even inflammatory illnesses such as rheumatic fever and syphilis are considered to be contributory causes of heart disease. In fact any illness in which the heart muscle or enzymes that affect heart function are disrupted or damaged can be the cause of heart disease.

Additional Details Regarding The Causes Of Heart Disease

Some examples of varied causes of heart disease are: atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, Kawasaki disease, dermatomyositis, hemochromatosis, diabetes type 1 and 2, Friedrich's ataxia, hypertension (high blood pressure), menopause, obesity or even emaciated, Paget's disease, physical inactivity and smoking. The list goes on and on.

With heart disease the factors that contribute to the actual onset of a heart attack are actually twofold. In the first instance plaque in the arteries will build up pathologically and harden, gradually calcifying and blocking or causing narrowing of the arteries. This is abnormal plaque and should not be confused with the second instance which is a natural thickening of the arteries found in people and this occurs in all societies worldwide. The natural thickening of the arteries as the body ages prevents ruptures and aneurysms from occurring. Whereas calcification and plaque build up causes thromboses or blood clots to block the flow of the blood to the brain or the heart. Abnormal inflammation can also cause blockages and in a new take on coronary heart disease and its causes is leading researchers to believe that coronary heart disease is distinguished by an inflammatory process inside the blood vessels that cycles through periods of irritation followed by injury, healing and then re-injury.

In order to be in a position to prevent heart disease it is obviously important to understand as much as possible about the causes of heart disease. Heart disease is considered to some extent to be unavoidable but having a basic understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet and ensuring that you undertake an adequate amount of physical activity will stand you in good stead to protect your heart's heath and safeguard yourself as much as possible against contracting heart diseases.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle ensures that you do not become a burden to yourself and your family. You can protect yourself against the various causes of heart disease and many other ailments. You will therefore sustain you and your family's peace of mind and financial resources.

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