Any interruption in blood supply, for example a heart attack or stroke, causes tissue death so the maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system is essential.

Most cardiovascular disease occurs due to lifestyle factors such as: 1. Obesity, poor nutrition, and medication usage. 2. Free radical damage due to environmental toxins or smoking. 3. Stress or poor emotional health. 4. Lack of exercise.

Being overweight is detrimental to cardiovascular health for several reasons.  Excess weight increases the force of gravity on an individual.  The heart must respond by working harder and increasing blood pressure.  Excess food intake causes the body to increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood.  Cholesterol shuttles fat around the body and is implicated in the formation of plaque in arterial walls.

Poor nutrition is detrimental to heart health because the heart muscle needs a constant supply of nutrients to keep pumping.  The standard North American diet is deficient in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.  It is high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates and chemical additives and preservatives.  These substances not only do not give your heart usable energy, but they also contain high amounts of vessel damaging materials like trans-fatty acids. 

Some medications deplete heart supporting nutrients like coenzyme Q10, magnesium, potassium and zinc.  Ironically several of these medications are used to treat cardiovascular disease.  Cholesterol lowering medication can deplete coenzyme Q10.  Diuretics, used for high blood pressure, increase the excretion of minerals like magnesium and potassium.  This can cause problems maintaining heart rhythm and lead to muscle spasms.  ACE inhibitors deplete zinc.  Beta-blockers deplete coenzyme Q10. 

Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage.  This can cause damage to the smooth inner lining of the vessels and lead to inflammation.  Inflammation causes a build up of scar tissue that makes the area susceptible to further damage or plaque formation.  Homocysteine, excess iron, food, water, tobacco use and environmental pollutants are the major contributors of free radical damage in the cardiovascular system.    

Studies have shown that certain personality types are at a greater risk for developing heart disease.  An individual of type A personality is driven, focused and goal oriented.  They like to be in control.  Emotionally they are unexpressive and tend to hold in emotions like anger.  This personality type keeps the body on constant alert, which raises blood pressure and heart rate.  The cardiovascular system may weaken under this constant strain and eventually lead to heart attack or heart disease.

Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle are the norm in North American society.  Most people find it difficult to make time in their busy schedule for exercise.  Being sedentary is detrimental to the cardiovascular system because it stagnates circulation.

Stagnation impedes the delivery of nutrients to cells and slows the release of waste products.  Sitting or standing in one place allows blood to pool in the lower body making it unavailable to the internal organs and brain.

Here are some medical conditions that commonly affect the cardiovascular system:

Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis occur when deposits build-up on the inside of the arteries.  This leads to a decrease in the flexibility and elasticity of the walls.  Deposits can be made of calcium (arteriosclerosis) or fatty substances like cholesterol (atherosclerosis).

Decreased circulation leads to high blood pressure as the body struggles to maintain enough blood flow to its tissues.  Pieces of the deposits can break off or the turbulent flow of blood can cause clots to form.  If the pieces or clots lodge in smaller vessels this leads to heart attack or stroke.

Heart attack occurs when the vessels to the heart become blocked, or sufficiently constricted, to reduce blood flow to an area of the heart muscle.  The muscle begins to die which leads to permanent heart damage.  The cause of the constriction can be an atherosclerotic plaque, a piece of tissue, an air bubble or a blood clot.

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins occurring in the rectal and anal area.  Weakening of the vessel walls and extra pressure in the area are the culprits.  This can be caused by constipation, poor diet, obesity, hormonal changes like pregnancy and long periods of sitting or standing. 

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, leads to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and retinal damage.  The most common causes of hypertension are narrowed arteries or a decrease in arterial elasticity.  Other causes are kidney disease, heavy metal toxicity, obesity, stress and poor diet.

Stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is compromised and brain tissue begins to die.  Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when blood flow is decreased due to the bursting of a vessel.  Ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow is decreased due to a blood clot, arterial plaque or air bubble.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, improper diet, stress and lack of exercise are bigger indicators of your heart disease risk than family history.  Therefore it is encouraging to note that adopting a healthier lifestyle and using natural therapies can maintain a healthy vascular system.

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Consume a heart friendly diet

• Stop smoking and limit your exposure to environmental toxins

• Use stress reduction techniques and improve your emotional  health

• Make regular exercise part of your daily routine

• Supplement your diet with nutrients that support the heart, especially if you take medications that deplete essential nutrients

The key is to look at the maintenance of normal weight as a lifestyle change, not just as a diet that will be over in a given amount of time.  See a health professional to ensure that there are no medical conditions that are causing you to gain weight.  Remember healthy weight loss is no more than 2-4 lbs weekly.

Dietary changes for heart health include maintaining adequate fibre intake and lowering the fat and cholesterol content of your foods.  Drink lots of clear fluids and eat raw fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Include green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, vegetable protein, like soybeans, and unrefined oils like olive, flax and sunflower in your daily diet.  Foods to avoid are any junk foods, fried foods, processed foods, fast foods, white flour products, white sugar products, red meat, egg yolks, ice cream, salt, coffee, colas and other caffeine sources.  Eliminate alcohol, tobacco and highly spiced foods.

Have a positive mental outlook and deal with stress effectively.  Stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or biofeedback will help to maintain a healthy stress level.   Colour therapy and biofeedback have been studied with regard to their blood pressure lowering effects.

Listed below are some of the nutrients and supplements that support cardiovascular health.  (CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).