It is possible to turn back the clock on cardiovascular disease, by taking a few preventative measures that will ensure you are maintaining the most important organ in the body… the heart. Cardiovascular disease is mainly caused by a hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), and this is simply due to a thickening of the artery lining from fatty deposits. The arteries function as feeding tubes that supply the body with blood, oxygen and other nutrients via the heart. Once the fatty deposits are formed on the arteries, it makes them much narrower and thus, more difficult for blood to flow freely and reach the heart. If this is the case, the heart will not function as well as it should, suffer tissue damage, and ultimately could stop working altogether meaning death.

Although no one can say exactly what causes cardiovascular disease, there are several things in our lives that can help accelerate the illness and make us more prone to heart attacks and strokes. Firstly there is the genetic connection; you are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease if you have a family history of the condition itself, of angina, heart attacks or strokes. You can do very little about this genetic connection, but it does put you at risk and so you should take more notice of the other risk factors concerning cardiovascular disease. Smoking, being overweight, eating an unhealthy diet, excess alcohol, not getting enough exercise, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stress all play a major part in speeding up the process.

Disease of the heart (cardiac muscle) is not to be taken lightly. It is the number one cause of death and disability in the US and according to the World Heart Federation 17.5 million people worldwide are taken to an early grave because of it. Although the condition is very serious, it can be reduced by a massive 42.7 percent in as little as 75 days by making a few lifestyle changes that can easily be fit into our daily routines.

If you are a smoker, then you really need to consider stopping smoking. Reducing the amount of salt and fat in your diet as well as reducing your alcohol intake will seriously help the cause. Eating more fresh fruit and vegetables and regular exercise will also benefit your overall health and well being. If you do have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, see your doctor regularly for your check ups and always take your medication.

Discovering you have cardiovascular disease is by no means the end. Look at it as a new beginning, a chance to reverse the process before it takes a strong hold and ultimately kills. Remember that without health you really have nothing, and start to believe in the age old saying that prevention really is better than cure.  Learn now how to prevent the odds of a heart attack at http://www.ICanBeatTheOdds.com.