Atherosclerosis... and its consequences

The principle cause of heart attack and stroke is atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup within the arteries that provide blood supply to the heart and brain. 1.5 million a year? That's the bad news. The good news? Atherosclerosis can be controlled! The four main modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis are 1. High blood pressure 2. High cholesterol (LDL increases risk, HDL decreases risk) 3. Smoking 4. Diabetes, with poor blood sugar control

Through healthy lifestyle changes -- diet, exercise, and smoking cessation -- we can control atherosclerosis progression, thus preventing heart attacks and strokes. When it comes to your health, knowledge is #power 💪 and prevention is #key 🔑