India, Dec. 6 -- Heart disease continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and surprisingly, much of it is preventable. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 19.8 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2022, with 85% of these deaths caused by heart attacks and strokes. Most of these events occur because of a blockage in the arteries, those essential pathways that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and brain. Here's the thing you may not know: your daily food choices can either protect your arteries or slowly clog them.

WHO says factors like tobacco use, too much salt, physical inactivity, obesity, alcohol, and, most importantly, an unhealthy diet, all accelerate plaque buildup. To help ...