In Pakistan mortality from IHD is 410/100000.3. (NHSP). A study conducted in Karachi showed that one in four middle aged adults in Pakistan has prevalent CAD. Risk are uniformly high in young and in women. There is a need of preventing epidemic of CAD focusing on hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and dyslipidemia. Seventh Day Adventist (SDAs) abstain from tobacco and alcohol, exercise and approximately one half follow lacto- ovarian vegetarian diet. (RL Phillips, FR Lemon, WL Beeson… – The American journal of, 1978)

Smoking, hypertension, and sedentary lifestyle have high prevalence of IHD. Education and prayer-habit are protective. (R Gupta, H Prakash, VP Gupta, KD Gupta – Journal of clinical epidemiology, 1997) Meat consumption was positively associated with fatal ischemic heart disease in both men and women (DA Snowdon, RL Phillips, GE Fraser – Preventive medicine, 1984 – Elsevier)

The positive association between meat consumption and fatal ischemic heart disease was stronger in men than in women and, overall, strongest in young men. (DA Snowdon, RL Phillips, GE Fraser – Preventive medicine, 1984 Elsevier)

Dietary fiber may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) through a variety of mechanisms, such (MA Pereira, E O’Reilly, Archives , 2004 – archinte.jamanetwork.com)

  • Improving blood lipid profiles
  • Lowering blood pressure
  • Improving insulin sensitivity and fibrinolytic activity

A Physician Health Study suggest that the inverse association between nut consumption and total coronary heart disease death is primarily due to a reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac death. (CM Albert, JM Gaziano, WC Willet Archives of Internal 2002 archinte.jamanetwork.com)

Whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, and fibrinogen are considered independent risk factors for coronary heart disease and can be elevated by dehydration. (J Chan, SF Knutsen, GG Blix, JW Lee American journal of 2002 Oxford Univ Press)

Fish consumption is inversely associated with fatal CHD. Mortality from CHD may be reduced by eating fish once per week or more. (K He, Y Song, ML Daviglus, K Liu, L Van Horn Circulation, 2004 – Am Heart Assoc.)

Role of Cholesterol

Epidemiological Studies shows that dietary cholesterol played a minor role in regulating serum cholesterol levels. (Acta Cardiol. 1999)
genes, hormones, and diet interact to regulate the serum cholesterol level. (Brown MS Science. 1981)

Oxidation hypothesis emphasizes the importance of oxidative modification in the atherosclerotic process, because compared with native LDL, oxidized LDL is preferentially taken up in the arterial wall.
LDL can be oxidized by smoking, for example, and oxidation can be prevented by dietary antioxidants, e.g., vitamins and polyphenols. ( Steinberg D Med. 1989) Smoking, alcohol, and physical activity are important determinants of coronary heart disease. (Doll R, Peto R  BMJ. 1976)

  • Healthy diet.
  • Control blood cholesterol.
  • Lower high blood pressure.
  • Be physically active every day
  • Aim for a healthy weight.
  • Manage diabetes.
  • Reduce stress.
  • No smoking.
  • No alcohol

“Research Dr. Nasira Tajamal