Causes of and Remedies for Heart Disease

Of all the life threatening diseases and conditions that occur on a daily basis, heart disease tops the list. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. Heart disease has various causes and remedies that can treat it.

Genetics

• One of the main causes of heart disease is having a mother or father who also had it.

Nutrition

• Eating foods that are high in saturated fat, or that are processed and refined, can increase cholesterol levels, which can cause heart disease.

Lifestyle

• Smoking depletes the body of oxygen, which decreases circulation and can contribute to heart disease.

Diet Remedy

• The DASH diet consists of eating foods that are low in fat, salt and cholesterol, and are high in nutrients. Some examples are fruits, vegetables, lean meats and low-fat dairy products.

Exercise

• Exercise can help reduce blood pressure and it can also help lower elevated cholesterol levels.

Medication

• Medications called beta blockers help slow the rate at which the heart pumps blood. Another form of medication used is called calcium channel blockers.