Diet and exercise are not a cure-all. Ancient Egyptian mummies had age related atherosclerosis matching our own. Being overweight is a problem, for sure. However, this is an amazingly complex subject and those that claim to have a solution are regularly proven incorrect.
http://imaging.onlinejacc.org/content/4/4/315
ABOUT MUMMIES:
Quote:
"had either definite atherosclerosis (defined as calcification within the wall of an identifiable artery, n = 12) or probable atherosclerosis (defined as calcifications along the expected course of an artery, n = 8). Calcifications were found in the aorta as well as the coronary, carotid, iliac, femoral, and peripheral leg arteries. The 20 mummies with definite or probable atherosclerosis were older at time of death (mean age 45.1 ± 9.2 years) than the mummies with CV tissue but no atherosclerosis (mean age 34.5 ± 11.8 years, p < 0.002). "
The list of items that reduce the risk of atherosclerosis can be found at:
the following factors increase risk:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Steroid use
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Smoking
Kawasaki's disease
Use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen and suchlike.
Being a deep coal miner - especially in Russia
Using cocaine
Getting older
Getting up in the morning - especially on Mondays
Type II diabetes
Raised fibrinogen level
Cushing's disease
Air pollution
Acute physical or psychological stress
Chronic kidney disease
Avastin - a cancer drug
Looking at one of these risk factors, System Lupus Erythematosus. Young women with this condition have, in some studies, an increased risk of CVD of 5,500%.