Heart disease is the biggest killer in the UK. Around 1 out of 5 men and 1 out of 7 women are expected to die from heart disease this year. The term ‘heart disease’ encompasses a variety of illnesses. Coronary heart disease is the most common type, and it occurs when the arterial walls become clogged up with fatty deposits. This blockage restricts blood flow to the heart and can cause Angina, a condition of it’s own which is characterised by nausea, tiredness, dizziness, feelings of restlessness, a tight, dull or heavy pain in the chest that can spread to arms, neck, jaw and back.
Coronary heart disease can be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, age and family history. The majority of these causes are lifestyle oriented and therefore a nutritionist or nutritional therapist could help those at risk of developing or who already suffer with heart disease.
A nutritionist would devise a nutritional programme low in cholesterol and unsaturated fats and encourage you to lose weight if necessary. A specifically designed diet can be beneficial alongside medication as many medicines used to treat coronary heart disease have unfortunate side effects such as indigestion, vomitting, sore throat, tiredness, constipation and fluid retention. Some people are also prescribed diuretics which can alter the level of certain minerals in the body such as potassium and sodium. These side effects can be addressed and aided by the expert knowledge of a nutritional therapist.
