When we run or feel frightened, we often notice a pounding sensation on the left side of our chest—yes, that’s our heart, reminding us we’re alive. Think of it as our body’s pumping station, working nonstop without a moment’s break. It tirelessly delivers oxygen-rich blood to every corner of our body and sends oxygen-depleted blood back to our lungs to be refreshed.
Our heart’s powerful muscle fibers get the energy they need from blood supplied by the coronary arteries—tiny vessels only about 2 millimeters in diameter. If these arteries become blocked by a buildup of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) or a blood clot (thrombus), the heart muscle begins to starve. This can cause it to function poorly or even die, leading to heart failure or, in severe cases, sudden death.
So, how do we keep our heart healthy? The main culprit in most artery blockages is atherosclerosis, which starts as fat deposits on the artery walls and can eventually include calcium buildup. Over time, these deposits (plaques) can expand to completely clog the artery.
To prevent these harmful deposits from forming, we need to adopt a healthy lifestyle as early in life as possible. This includes:
- Avoiding processed and packaged foods
- Steering clear of high-calorie and high-glycemic-index meals
- Watching our carbohydrate intake
- Staying active throughout the day—if nothing else, walk for at least one hour daily
In the next chapter, we’ll explore the risk factors for heart disease—those we can control and those we can’t—and discuss how to keep this life-sustaining organ strong and healthy for years to come.
