Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death? Data shows about 700,000 people in the United States die of heart disease each year, which is 1 in 4 deaths.
People of all ages are at risk for heart disease, caused by plaque building up in the arteries. Risk factors include eating an unhealthy diet, being overweight, lack of exercise, and high blood pressure.
Is meat unhealthy? Yes. Meat can break your heart.
Research shows that consuming meat, especially processed and red meat, increases the risk for heart disease. Eating foods high in saturated fat, such as meat, raises LDL “bad” cholesterol levels, which increases heart disease risk.
The saturated fat in meat isn’t the only factor that increases heart disease risk. A study found that as meat is digested in the intestinal tract, gut microbes produce a compound that gets converted into trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) in the liver, which increases the risk for heart disease and heart attacks.
Research studies tested life changes and medicines to reduce those risks, showing they could work. These included cholesterol- and blood pressure lowering drugs and lifestyle modifications such as physical activity, a healthy diet, and quitting smoking.
Since 1969, heart disease deaths have dropped nearly 70 percent. But stroke still strikes an American once every 40 seconds. Research led to approval of the drug tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), which dissolves stroke-causing clots if given soon after symptoms appear. More recent studies showed that inserting balloon catheters to remove brain clots can prevent further damage in people suffering major strokes.
With heart disease and stroke still the leading causes of death, more research is needed. The advent of precision medicine may help better understand and manage these disorders. Also called “personalized medicine,” this approach uses data about a person’s genes, proteins, environment and lifestyle to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease.
What is the best thing you can do to prevent or even reverse heart disease?
Eat more plant-based foods.
Pioneering studies by Dean Ornish, MD, Caldwell Esselstyn Jr., MD, and others have shown that a low-fat, plant-based diet, combined with regular exercise and a healthy overall lifestyle, can prevent, delay, and even reverse heart disease.
Plant-based diets benefit heart health because they contain no dietary cholesterol, very little saturated fat, and abundant fiber. Meat, cheese, and eggs, on the other hand, are packed with cholesterol and saturated fat, which cause plaque buildup in the arteries, eventually leading to heart disease.
Note—the quality of the plant-based diet you eat makes a difference when it comes to heart disease. There is a lower risk when people consume whole, unprocessed plant foods, compared with unhealthy plant-based foods (i.e., fried foods that have higher fat).
It is important to continue to work closely with your health care provider to monitor your health and manage medications, even as you make dietary changes. Learn more about plant-based nutrition from www.nutritionfacts.org.
Summary:
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death. The most common symptom? Death.
- Obesity, activity, and diet are all risks for heart disease.
- Medicine and surgery are common treatments — after you have problems.
- Prevent heart disease by simply changing your diet.
- Replace meat with beans, tofu, or lentils to improve heart health.
- Aim for at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables daily.
- Keep your saturated fat intake low by avoiding animal products, ultra-processed foods, and tropical oils.
All content and media above are created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.
