Introduction to Cardiovascular disease

The heart is like any other muscle, requiring blood to supply oxygen and nutrients for it to function. The heart's needs are provided by the coronary arteries, which begin at the base of the aorta and spread across the surface of the heart, branching out to all areas of the heart muscle.

The coronary arteries are at risk for narrowing as cholesterol deposits, called plaques, build up inside the artery. If the arteries narrow enough, blood supply to the heart muscle may be compromised (slowed down), and this slowing of blood flow to the heart causes pain, or angina.

A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when a plaque ruptures, allowing a blood clot to form. This completely obstructs the artery, stopping blood flow to part of the heart muscle, and that portion of muscle dies.

What are the risk factors for heart disease

Risk factors for heart disease include:

• Smoking
  
  
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
  
  
• High cholesterol
  
  
• Diabetes
  
  
• Family history
  
  
• Peripheral artery disease
  
  
• Obesity

Prevention of heart disease

The key to the treatment is prevention. A healthy lifestyle is the key, including exercise, proper nutrition, and smoking cessation.

An aspirin a day is recommended to decrease the risk for heart disease and should be started with the recommendation of a healthcare provider.

A little alcohol (one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men) decreases the risk of heart disease compared to nondrinkers. However, it is not recommended that nondrinkers begin drinking.

There is sound scientific rationale for an important role for coenzyme Q10 in the maintenance of cardiovascular health in general and in the management of heart disease and in particular heart failure. Review of published literature in peer-reviewed journals on the use of coenzyme Q10 as an adjunct to conventional therapy in patients with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy shows that there is strong evidence in favor of significant clinical improvement with coenzyme Q10 supplementation. As a naturally-occurring nutrient that is produced in the body, coenzyme Q10 has an excellent safety record and no side effects.

Therefore, coenzyme Q10 supplementation as supportive therapy for patients with or at risk for congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy is justified and appropriate, since it can afford significant clinical benefit to the patients. Furthermore, by improving heart function and the quality of life in these patients, and by reducing the number of hospitalizations, coenzyme Q10 supplementation also has the potential to reduce overall healthcare costs.

The weight of the evidence based upon an objective assessment of available scientific literature supports the following proposed health claims for coenzyme Q10:
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may help reduce the risk for congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy.
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may help reduce the risk for heart failure.
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may help reduce the risk for certain types of heart diseases.
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may help reduce the risk for certain types of heart diseases such as congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy.
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation, as an adjunct to standard medical therapy, may help reduce the risk for certain types of heart diseases such as congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy.

Modifying risk factors for heart disease

While patients cannot choose their family and alter their genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease, the rest of the risk factors are under control of the patient. Keeping blood pressure, cholesterol and other lipid levels, and diabetes under control needs to become a life-long goal. Smoking cessation is highly encouraged.