Diet-Heart Disease Risk

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for over 50% of all deaths in the United States (Table 1). It has been known for a number of years that a variety of risk factors are involved in the development of these diseases. Studies within our population have identified various risk factors for heart disease, some of which are genetic and others related to elements of our life-style. Heart disease occurs more in men than in women and Caucasions are at greater risk than other races. There are some types of coronary anatomy which result in increased risk and genetic patterns of the lipidcarrying lipoproteins can cause a higher incidence of the disease. Life-style factors known to be related to an increased risk of CVD include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high blood cholesterol levels, diabetes, a sedentary life-style, obesity and the personality type characterized as Type A. These life-style risk factors can be effectively treated by stopping smoking, losing weight, increasing physical activity and certain changes in the dietary patterns of high-risk patients. The question to be addressed here is whether or not everyone, irrespective of his or her blood cholesterol level, should try, by diet, to reduce their blood cholesterol level and in theory their risk of developing heart disease.