Healthy Heart Paper
But physicians everywhere agree that the best method in preventing or recovering from heart attacks all come from exercising and eating healthy foods. These two things will stop the buildup of plaque and reduce the risk of heart attacks. Atherosclerosis is known as the collection of fatty deposits along the interior walls of arteries. With time, this collection of plaque can thicken, harden, and potentially block blood flow within the body. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances that can eventually narrow arteries and cause them to become stiff and inflexible. This makes it difficult for normal blood flow to occur and hinders normal circulatory functions. For example, if a coronary artery becomes obstructed with plaque, blood flow to the heart will decrease and possibly stop. In effect, one might experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and possibly a heart attack. Atherosclerosis can be a causing factor in strokes and pulmonary embolisms. On occasion, fatty deposits can break away from artery walls and flow freely through the blood.