Risk factors for CHD These are factors thought to increase the chance of getting CHD : 1- Eating a diet with too much saturated ( animal ) fat : Which can increase the concentration of cholesterol in the blood . A good diet eating more poultry and fish , which are less fatty , cutting down on fried foods , eating less red meat and more fresh fruit and vegetables 2- Being overweight 3- Taking little or no exercise 4- Smoking 5- Stress People can do something about these risk factors by changing their way of life , but other risk factors cannot be avoided such as : 6- Genes : inherited from parents – CHD tends to run in families , these genes control the metabolism of fat and cholesterol. 7- Age : The chances of getting CHD increase with age . 8- Sex : men are more likely to get CHD than women. Treatment of CHD : 1- A coronary artery bypass : Can relive patients with the symptoms of CHD . A blood vessel is taken from another part of the body , usually the arm or leg , and is attached to the coronary artery above and below the narrowed or blocked area Depending on the severity of the CHD , a number of separate grafts may be needed. If there is just one incidence of narrowing , or blockage , then a coronary angioplasty may be carried out . This is less complex operation and involves inflating a small ballon inside the artery to widen it . A small metal tube is then inserted to help keep the artery open . This tube is called a stent . 3- Anti-platelet medicines , like aspirin , prevent blood clots forming in the arteries . Taking low – dose aspirin daily is part of the treatment for people with known CHD , stroke or other forms of heart disease, e.g. angina , heart attck , coronary stent and bypass surgery .
