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Glossary

Alcohol
News that moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of heart disease in middle-aged and older adults has been widely reported in the press. However, heavier drinking may lead to high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and heart attack. Daily alcohol intake should be limited to no more than two drinks for men and one drink for women. A drink is defined five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or one and one-half ounces of 80 proof whiskey. Nondrinkers should not be encouraged to start drinking to protect their heart health.

Antioxidant
Antioxidants are molecules that slow or prevent the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is molecular deterioration involving oxygen. Iron rust is a form of oxidation. Oxidation can also happen in the body. For instance, plaque buildup in the arteries requires oxidation. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts that contain antioxidants helps to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Atherosclerosis
Also referred to as arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis is a condition in which fat and LDL cholesterol form plaque in the arteries.

Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted on the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). It's measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually written as a fraction: [systolic] / [diastolic]. High blood pressure (hypertension) in an adult is defined as systolic pressure 140 mmHg or higher or diastolic pressure 90 mmHg or higher. Although symptomless, hypertension directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

Body Mass Index (BMI)
Body Mass Index is a simple equation (weight [in kilograms] divided by height [in meters]) used to evaluate a person's weight. A BMI of 25 or above indicates a person is overweight. A BMI of 30 or above indicates obesity. Body Mass Index alone can sometimes be misleading. Although high BMI is usually due to fat, a very muscular individual may be classified as overweight based on BMI, despite being extremely fit. =

Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of lipid -- a waxy, fat-like material used by the body to produce hormones, bile acids, vitamin D, and other substances. The liver produces all the cholesterol the body needs. A diet rich in saturated fat, meat, and whole dairy products increases blood cholesterol levels, potentially causing hypercholesterolemia.

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs
Diet and exercise are the first tools to use to lower LDL cholesterol. When diet and exercise don't lower cholesterol enough, a cholesterol-lowering drug may be prescribed. There are several types of cholesterol-lowering drugs and they work in different ways; so if one type of drug doesn't provide sufficient reduction, another drug may be added to provide further improvement.

Coronary occlusion
The partial or complete blocking of a coronary artery, usually by a clot or spasm.

Coronary thrombosis
Blocking of a coronary artery by an attached blood clot (thrombus).

Flavonoids
A diet high in fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of certain chronic diseases, including heart disease. Flavonoids are compounds commonly found in plants, fruits, and vegetables that are believed to be responsible for this effect. Over 5000 different flavonoids have been identified.

HDL cholesterol
High density lipoprotein, or HDL -- often called the "good" cholesterol -- removes cholesterol from cell walls and delivers it to the liver, from which it is excreted. HDL normally constitutes 20 to 30 percent of the cholesterol in the blood. Low HDL cholesterol is associated with increased plaque buildup and increased risk for heart disease.

Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
The death or damage of heart muscle caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle, usually as a result of a coronary thrombosis or a coronary occlusion. Sufferers typically experience severe chest pain.

LDL cholesterol
Low density lipoprotein, or LDL, typically accounts for about 60 to 70 percent of cholesterol in the blood. It is the LDL cholesterol that is distributed to tissues throughout the body, including arteries. Since high levels of LDL lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, it is commonly referred to as the "bad" cholesterol. Because heart disease risk increases with higher blood levels of LDL, the main target of cholesterol-lowering therapy is LDL cholesterol.

Lipoprotein
Cholesterol is distributed to cell walls throughout the body via the bloodstream. Since fatty cholesterol cannot mix with blood, it is packaged for travel as lipoproteins -- tiny amounts of fatty cholesterol encased in a protein shell. Two main types of lipoproteins are found in the blood: low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol).

Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a set of risk factors that may predict your risk of heart disease or metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Presence of 3 or more of the following factors indicates metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting blood sugar.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega -3 fatty acids -- a group of unsaturated fats found in fatty fish (including salmon, tuna, and mackerel) as well as in walnuts, canola oil, and soy beans -- are being studied to confirm suspected benefits in the prevention and treatment of coronary diseases. Because most fish is low in saturated fat, the American Heart Association recommends that fish be included as part of a CHD risk-reduction diet.

Plaque
Plaque is the buildup of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and scar tissue along arteries in all parts of the body, including the heart. Plaque narrows the diameter of the arteries, reducing blood flow. Unstable plaque can rupture, causing heart attack, angina, and coronary death. Lowering blood levels of LDL is an effective means of both preventing new plaque formation and reducing existing plaque.

Saturated Fats
Saturated fat is usually solid at room and refrigerator temperatures. Sources of saturated fat include animal products (fatty cuts of meat, poultry with the skin, whole-milk dairy products, and lard) and some vegetable oils (coconut and palm oils). Diets high in saturated fat are a major cause of hypercholesterolemia and are associated with increased incidence of heart disease. Reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet is a very effective way to lower LDL.

Soluble fiber
Soluble fiber (also known as viscous fiber) is found in oats, barley, psyllium, pectin-rich fruit (such as apples, quince, plums, gooseberries and oranges) and beans. Research has shown that 5­10 grams of soluble fiber each day reduces LDL cholesterol in the bloodsteam by about 5 percent.

Sterols/stanols
Many plants contain small amounts of substances known as sterols and stanols. By blocking the absorption of LDL cholesterol from the digestive tract, these substances can quickly lower LDL cholesterol by up to 15 percent -- without affecting HDL or triglycerides -- often within weeks. Sterols and stanols extracted from tall pine trees and soy are used as additives in special foods, including certain margarines and juices, when added to canola oil they can be used in numerous other foods.

Transfat
Like saturated fats, transfat increases LDL cholesterol levels. Foods made with hydrogenated vegetable oils, including many hard margarines and shortenings, are the main sources of transfats. Generally, the harder these products are, the more transfats they contain.

Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fat produced by the liver. Raised triglyceride levels may be caused by overweight/obesity, inadequate physical activity, smoking, excess alcohol use, and a high carbohydrate diet. Blood triglyceride level that is only borderline high (as low as 150 mg/dl) may increase risk for heart disease and is also a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.

Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when the body cannot turn food into glucose to produce growth and energy. Symptoms include increased thirst and need to urinate, weight loss, blurred vision, hunger, fatigue, frequent infections, and slow healing of wounds or sores. Of the more than 16 million Americans with diabetes, about 95% have type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight or obese -- over than 40 years old, who have high blood pressure, or have a family history of diabetes are at greatest risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Heart and blood vessel diseases develop in up to 75% of people with diabetes. Diabetes can also lead to stroke, kidney failure, and other problems.

Unsaturated fats
Unsaturated fats are usually liquid at room temperature and can be found in vegetable oils (canola oil, corn oil, olive oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil), most nuts, olives, avocados, and fatty fish, such as salmon. Unsaturated fats do not raise LDL cholesterol levels but they are high in calories, so they should be used in moderation.

Waist circumference
Waist circumference is a dependable measure of obesity and a strong independent predictor of heart disease risk. Abdominal obesity, defined as a waist circumference greater than 40 inches in men or 35 inches in women, places patients at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.