Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system, also known as the circulatory system is made up of the
heart, blood, and blood vessels which help to transport vital nutrients (as well as oxygen) through the body as well as remove metabolic waste. They also help to protect the body and regulate body temperature.

 

  1. Transport of nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to cells throughout the body and removal of metabolic wastes (carbon dioxide, nitrogenous wastes).
  2. Protect the body through white blood cells, antibodies, and vital proteins that circulate in the blood and defend the body against foreign micro-organisms and contaminants. Clotting mechanisms are also present that protect the body from blood loss after injuries.
  3. Regulates body temperature, fluid pH, and water content of cells.
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Heart

The heart is the powerhouse of the cardiovascular system. It is a hollow muscular organ that beats over 100,000 times a day to pump blood around the body’s 60,000 miles of blood vessels.

Blood

Blood is made up of about 45% solids (cells) and 55% fluids (plasma). The plasma is largely water, containing proteins, nutrients, hormones, antibodies, and dissolved waste products.

Blood Vessels

Blood vessels are the body’s highways that allow blood to flow quickly and efficiently from the heart to every region of the body and back again. There are three major types of blood vessels: arteries, capillaries, and veins.

Cardiovascular Disease

The cardiovascular system, as essential as it is, may also be under attack if not well managed. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are diseases that affect the heart and blood; they are also the leading cause of death worldwide.

Examples of Cardiovascular Disease include the following:

  1. Ischemic heart disease, also known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), is one of the most common. It can be Angina Pectoris, which occurs when blood there isn’t enough blood pumped to a particular part of the heart, or Myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack caused by a decrease or stoppage of blood flow to a particular part of the heart. The common symptoms are chest pain and muscle discomfort around the shoulder, neck, and arm region.
  2. Ischemic stroke (the most common type) happens when a blood vessel that feeds the brain gets blocked, usually from a blood clot. When the blood supply to a part of the brain is shut off, brain cells will die. The result will be the inability to perform some of the previous functions. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel within the brain bursts. The most likely cause is uncontrolled hypertension.
  3.  Heart failure doesn’t mean that the heart stops beating. Heart failure, sometimes called congestive heart failure, means the heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should. The heart keeps working, but the body’s need for blood and oxygen isn’t being met. Heart failure can get worse if it’s not treated. If your loved one has heart failure, it’s very important to follow the doctor’s orders. Learn more about heart failure.
  4.  Arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. There are various types of arrhythmias. The heart can beat too slowly, too fast, or irregularly. Bradycardia is when the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Tachycardia is when the heart rate is more than 100 beats per minute. An arrhythmia can affect how well the heart works. The heart may not be able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Learn more about arrhythmias.
  5. Heart valve problems: When heart valves don’t open enough to allow the blood to flow through as it should, it’s called stenosis. When the heart valves don’t close properly and allow blood to leak through, it’s called regurgitation. When the valve leaflets bulge or prolapse back into the upper chamber, it’s a condition called mitral valve prolapse. When this happens, they may not close properly. This allows blood to flow backward through them. Discover more about the roles your heart valves play in healthy circulation. Learn more about heart valve disease.

The fundamental underlying problem is damage or compromise to the walls of blood vessels, either chronic hypertension or trauma. This damage may lead to – depending on the site of damage – strokes, kidney diseases (ultimately requiring dialysis), heart failure, etc.

Other associated CVDs include:

  1. Hypertension
  2. High cholesterol
  3. Arteriosclerosis
  4. Heart Disease (intermittent sharp pain  in left side of chest and left shoulder)
  5. Erection problems
  6. Recovery from surgery
  7.  Strokes
  8. Atrial Fibrillation

It has been proven that 90% of CVDs are preventable. Preventive measures include the following:

  1. Exercise
  2. Healthy Diets
  3. Healthy oils and nuts
  4. Lifestyle adjustments such as avoidance of tobacco smoke and alcohol

Mainstream Medical Approach to CVDs

The main approach to CVDs across the world includes the use of medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride, and sugar levels.

If these more conservative methods fail, specialists may need to apply more invasive approaches, including the insertion of cardiac stents, pacemakers, bypass surgery, and (ultimately) heart transplantation.

The following are limitations we have seen with the conventional medical approach:

  1. Blood pressure medications only aim at reducing blood pressure.  They DO NOT address the damage that has already been done to the blood vessels and tissues of the body.
  2. Popular Drugs for reducing cholesterol deplete the body of nutrients vital to other functions (e.g. coQ10 which is important for brain and heart health).
  3. Drugs and surgery do not remove plaques from the arteries, thus setting up the stage for recurrence of the disease.
  4. Many times, multiple drugs must be deployed which can further compromise the patient’s health.
  5. Drugs and surgery do not address/repair damage to arteries from stroke or trauma.
  6. Drugs do not repair damage to the diseased heart.
  7.  Atrial fibrillation – there are currently no known drugs that can stop atrial fibrillation. Besides, drugs do not repair damage to the heart’s electrical system.

A Unique Solution: The Brain and Body Foundation Approach

At the Foundation, we employ nutraceuticals to accomplish the following:

  1. Repair damaged blood vessels to brain tissue and heart muscles
  2. Enhance healing of the lining of the blood vessels
  3. Remove plaques
  4. Help in blood pressure regulation
  5. Improve blood flow
  6. Enhance formation of new blood vessels

Help and Support

 

You are not alone.

Whether you are living with CVD

or caring for someone who is,

information and resources are available.