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“The high-fat, high-cholesterol, processed-food Standard American Diet (SAD) is robbing too many Americans of their health and quality of life. I am passionate about helping to spread the word about how to prevent atherosclerosis through nutrition and lifestyle changes like stress reduction and exercise.” — Teri Underwood
Heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease. CHD is caused by atherosclerosis, a disease process where fat and cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. The arteries become narrowed and the blood flow is diminished.
CHD reduces the quality of life for many Americans. Every year 1.5 million Americans suffer heart attacks; that’s over 3400 people per day. Over 40% die before they reach the hospital.
Heart disease is the leading cost of social security disability benefits and in direct and direct healthcare expenditures, lost wages, and productivity—costs our nation over 100 billion dollars per year.
Of striking concern is the fact that CHD claims lives prematurely. One third of all deaths from CHD in males occur before the age of 65.
Worldwide studies have identified CHD as a “disease of affluence.” It is known to occur in high rates in societies that eat the western diet (highly refined, high in animal foods, fats, sugar). Other lifestyle factors such as stress, lack of exercise, and smoking influence heart disease development. Heart disease is not something we are doomed to inherit from our parents. It is preventable by making changes to diet and lifestyle.