Be Heart Healthy and protect yourself against Heart Disease!

The cardiovascular system is comprised of the heart and blood vessels; blood is pumped by the heart and then circulated throughout the body through the blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease is the leading health problem in the Western world. It is the number one cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 1 million lives annually. An estimated 50 million Americans are afflicted with heart and blood vessel disease, many of whom have no symptoms. The arteries supplying blood to the heart are called the coronary arteries. When the heart's blood vessels narrow, insufficient amounts of oxygen reach the heart, causing chest pain called angina. When the coronary arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle become obstructed, a heart attack my occur. Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is the most common cause of obstruction and are responsible for most of the deaths resulting from heart attacks. High Blood Pressure can be a precursor to heart problems. Untreated high blood (hypertension)
Can result in a stroke. Smoking can have a big impact on the cardiovascular system because it causes constriction of all the blood vessels cutting off the circulation to all the tissues in the body, which can lead to secondary complications. Cardiovascular disease is not the inevitable result of aging. Many preventive measures can be taken to avoid heart disease. Controllable factors that contribute are smoking, elevated cholesterol, a type A personality, stress, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes. You can therefore, alter your lifestyle to avoid a major cardiovascular problem.
Nutritional Recommendations: Eliminate all stimulants containing caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, sugar, butter, red meats, fats, and fried and processed foods. Make sure your diet is well-balanced and contains plenty of fiber. Eat plenty of raw foods, broiled fish, turkey, and chicken. Garlic, onions, and lecithin are good additions to your diet. They reduce serum cholesterol levels. Add almonds and nuts (no peanuts), olive oil and pink salmon. These foods contain the essential fatty acid, are low in fat, and contain nutrients needed for normal heart function. Also, avoid salt, keep your weight down, and avoid stress. If you are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as aspirin you should limit your intake of foods high in Vitamin K. Foods containing Vitamin K increase blood clotting and should be eaten only in small quantities. Foods that are rich in Vitamin K include alfalfa, broccoli, cauliflower, egg yolks, liver, spinach and all dark green vegetables. To enhance the effect of the anticoagulants, add more wheat germ, vitamin E, soybeans, and sunflower seeds. Remember to drink plenty of water. Prevention is the key to maintaining a healthy heart and vascular system.