Time for a Heart Check

HeartHealthMonthJacquie Eubanks RN BSN

Love is in the air! Come mid-February romantic dinners, valentine cards, candy hearts, and chocolates may be foremost on our minds. Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate with hearts and flowers and, as February is designated American Heart Health Month, it may also be a time to reassess one’s heart health. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality for both men and women in the United States. Reducing the risks of developing cardiovascular disease begins with awareness. Knowing your risk factors, along with the early warning signs of heart disease, is the first step toward prevention. Although symptoms that include chest discomfort, nausea, exhaustion, and irregular heartbeat, as well as pain in the upper extremities and swelling in the lower extremities, are not always recognizable as life threatening, they should never be ignored.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) half of all Americans have at least one of the three key risk factors for heart disease—high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Although not all risk factors, including age, gender and family history, are controllable, steps can be taken to modify the risk factors relating to poor lifestyle habits. Useful strategies that support overall health, as well as prevent heart disease, include a healthy diet, exercise, and sufficient sleep. Taking these preventative steps will help to control stress, support healthier blood pressure and assist healthy weight maintenance. Tackling modifiable risk factors can have a positive impact on prevention, while everyday healthy choices can improve and support long-term health and longevity.

Age – While most who have fatal heart attacks are over age 65, heart disease can occur at any age. The risk is higher for women over age 55 and men over age 45. Establishing healthy lifestyle habits early in life can improve your heart disease risk later in life.

Gender – Although women tend to develop heart disease 10 years later than men, men and women are equally at risk.

Heredity – Family history increases the risk of the disease, especially when a parent or sibling develops heart disease at a young age. Your risk is higher if your father or brother had heart disease before age 55, or your mother or sister had heart disease before age 65.

Modifiable risk factors:

Unhealthy Diet vs Nutritious Diet – A varied and nutritious largely plant-based diet feeds overall health, while a poor diet, high in sodium and unhealthy fats, is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and atherosclerosis. Adopting a diet low in sodium and high in healthy fats, such as the Mediterranean or DASH diets, can lead to improved overall health. Per the American Heart Association, people who consume breakfast on a regular basis have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies show that the body can better metabolize food earlier in the day, which may help lower risk factors for obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Smoking vs Not Smoking – Smoking is considered the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Smokers are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smokers, and those attacks are more likely to be fatal. When combined with other risk factors, the risk of cardiovascular disease is greatly increased. Smoking produces a greater relative risk for those under age 50.

Chronic Stress vs Stress Response Control – Chronic Stress has a major impact on mental and physical health. Stress is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, as well as anxiety, depression, weight gain, sleep problems, digestive issues and memory impairment. Recognizing your personal stressors can help you avoid them, while connecting with friends and family can help you cope with personal trials. Regular exercise has long term stress-relieving benefits, but even a 20-minute walk can reduce stress for the next few hours.

Excessive Alcohol vs Moderate Consumption – While a moderate amount of alcohol consumption–one drink per day for women and two drinks daily for men–is considered cardioprotective, higher amounts increase the risk for heart disease and stroke. Binge drinking is particularly dangerous, as having six drinks or more in one sitting is associated with a 30 percent higher risk of cardiovascular events during the following 24 hours.

Hypertension vs Normal Blood Pressure – High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack as well as stoke and kidney damage. When combined with other risk factors, such as obesity, smoking or diabetes, the risk increases several fold. As high blood pressure often has no symptoms, a blood pressure reading can determine any necessary treatment.

High Cholesterol vs Normal Cholesterol – Although some argue that dietary cholesterol does not raise cholesterol levels, high LDL cholesterol levels can lead to a narrowing of the arteries including those of the heart. High levels of HDL cholesterol are considered cardioprotective.

Diabetes vs Healthy Blood Sugar – High blood sugar associated with diabetes increases fatal heart disease by two to four times, compared to those who have normal blood sugar. Diabetes type 2 can be prevented or delayed by following a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity and prioritizing weight loss, when needed.

Obesity vs Healthy Weight – Even with no other risk factors, those who are overweight or obese have a higher risk for developing heart disease. Excess weight puts strain on the heart and body and can negatively influence blood pressure, cholesterol and blood lipids.

Sedentary Lifestyle vs Regular Physical Activity –  A sedentary lifestyle contributes to increased risk, while just a small amount of moderate intensity daily exercise can help to lower blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, and prevent diabetes.

Professional Supplement Center carries these and other high quality supplements in support of cardiac and overall health:

HeartCareHeartCare® by Himalaya Herbal Healthcare – HeartCare® provides beneficial support for the cardiovascular system, peripheral circulation and cholesterol levels already within the normal range. This all-in-one proprietary blend provides clinically documented adaptogenic herbs that tonify the adrenal glands to reduce the impact of stress, support calmness and promote tranquility. Gluten, soy and dairy free, Non-GMO vegetarian formulation.

Healthy Heart ...Healthy Heart® by Priority One – Designed to promote energy production in heart muscle cells, this synergistic blend of balanced nutrients provides CoQ10, hawthorne berries, selenium and chondroitin sulfate in support of a healthy cardiovascular system. Vegetarian formulation.

Taurine 1000 mgTaurine 1000 mg by Vital Nutrients – As the most abundant amino acid in the heart, taurine helps to support healthy cardiac rhythm, contractions, and platelet aggregation levels in support of cardiac performance. Gluten, dairy and soy free formulation.

 

L-CarnitineL-Carnitine by Pure Encapsulations – This product provides highly stabilized L-carnitine in support of healthy enzyme activity, cardiovascular energy, enhanced exercise recovery and maintenance of healthy lipid metabolism. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO vegetarian formulation.

CardiotoneCardiotone by Professional Botanicals – This proprietary blend is designed to support healthy heart, immune and cardiovascular functions. Specific ingredients support energy production, increased heart muscle strength, and normal blood pressure. Gluten free, Non-GMO formulation.

References:
For heart health, it’s not just what you eat, but when. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/breakfast-heart-health-diet-when-you-eat-matters/
Heart Disease Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
Another reason not to binge-drink: It can give you a heart attack or stroke. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/another-reason-not-to-binge-drink-it-can-give-you-a-heart-attack-or-stroke/2016/03/07/99198fa4-e146-11e5-846c-10191d1fc4ec_story.html?utm_term=.7abf205f66f1
Cardiovascular disease risk factors. http://www.world-heart-federation.org/cardiovascular-health/cardiovascular-disease-risk-factors/diet/
Five Tips to Help Manage Stress. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/manage-stress.aspx
How to Reduce Your Risk. www.theheartfoundation.org/heart-disease-facts/reducing-your-risk/
Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease). http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/QuitSmoking/QuittingResources/Smoking-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_305187_Article.jsp