Cardiovascular disease (CVD) classifies a range of illnesses that involved the heart and blood vessels (i.e. arteries and veins). CVD is a technical term that refers to a disease that affects the cardiovascular system and conditions that relate to causes, mechanisms and treatments upon the heart organ system including all things related to atherosclerosis. You doctor is only trained to treat the symptoms, for example, applying angioplasty in order to open blocked blood vessels. The mechanical widening of a narrowed or obstructed vessel is no cure; it is only delaying the inevitable. The key to CVD however is prevention!



The rate of CVD related deaths have dropped for men, however for women the rate is relatively unchanged. High cholesterol coupled with high C-reactive protein (CRP) a plasma protein that is produced by the liver can be a measure for inflammation and give a warning on an individual's risk for CVD. C-reactive protein or C-polysaccharide is a polysaccharide found in the cell wall of pneumococci and precipitated by this protein from carbohydrates. What happens is the inflamed artery gets a build-up of fatty streaks of oxidized low-density lip-protein (LDL cholesterol). Once the arteries are lined with LDL cholesterol these become nucleation points for calcium deposits. Upon increasing calcium deposition a brittle cap over the fatty deposits narrows the artery walls forming plaque. As the build-up of plaque continues the likelihood that some may fracture and break can result in what is called a blood clot. Depending upon where the breaking and subsequent clot occurs a heart attack or stroke will likely result. This is why cholesterol levels and resulting high blood pressure is ultimately the best early warning system for preventing heart disease.

When discussing the prevention of CVD one needs to reduce total cholesterol, especially the LDL type cholesterol. This is where natural supplementations and exercise can help to manage your cholesterol problems. To reduce your cholesterol, significant lifestyle modification needs to be taken into consideration. A heart attack or stroke is a drastic, life altering phenomena; therefore you need to be proactive in altering your lifestyle now.

Suggested lifestyle changes

1. Exercise including weight training and aerobic exercise.

2. Low cholesterol diets worked into your daily meal plan.

3. Add to your diet 1-3 grams of fiber which will help to lower cholesterol levels.

The keys to prevention including knowing your optimal cholesterol levels (please discuss this with your doctor), diet to reduce the factors for coronary heart disease, knowing your family history on heart disease, have your blood pressure checked regularly, and elimination of bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Finally, natural health food supplementation is imperative for lowering and preventing heart disease. Some natural methods for prevention include artichoke leaf, garlic, curcumin also know as turmeric root, green tea, fish oil, and soy products can help to control the cholesterol level. Note, soy is cholesterol-free; most fats in soy are poly-unsaturated, soy isoflavones and soluble fibers.

In conclusion, turning to natural remedies is no substitute for getting the advice of a cardiovascular specialist. Preferably, natural ways are better than pharmaceutical drugs and thus many people have chosen to treat various health conditions using natural health supplements. Taking the corrective action in both diet and exercise will help promote general well-being and a longer happier life.