but were afraid to ask

By Martin Stone, BSc. MH.

Cardiovascular disease - what is it?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), primarily heart disease and stroke, causes more deaths in North Americans of both genders and all racial and ethnic groups than any other single cause of death. Cardiovascular disease is a chronic condition of degeneration, which develops over a long period of time, most often decades. Individuals with cardiovascular disease may not recognize the early signs or symptoms until their first heart attack or stroke. Early symptoms may include discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath during or after exercise, poor circulation, swelling around the ankles, dizzy spells or moderate to severe pain when walking.

Statistically speaking, there’s a very good chance that you know someone who has had a heart attack and almost certainly you know several people who have cardiovascular disease and don’t even know it. Of even more pressing concern is the fact that there is a better than even chance that this condition is affecting you as well. CVD is a silent killer.

Several factors that may indicate you have a higher risk of developing heart or cardiovascular disease include:

• Smoking • High-fat diet • Poor blood cholesterol levels, especially high LDL ("bad") cholesterol and low HDL ("good") cholesterol as well as elevated triglycerides • Family history of early heart attacks • Diabetes • High blood pressure • Men who are clinically depressed have a greater risk for heart disease and heart attack • A female who has gone through menopause • Being overweight/obese (which also increases your risk for having high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure) • Sedentary lifestyle

Two theories are coming to the forefront as being the most likely primary reasons for heart disease and associated cardiovascular conditions.

Free radicals

Research has reported that it isn’t only the levels of cholesterol but the levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol that really counts and also the ratio between LDL and HDL cholesterol; in other words, the more antioxidants present in the bloodstream the less oxidation of cholesterol can occur and the less problems with plaquing.

Another hypothesis suggests that high levels of blood sugar and insulin act as irritants or inflammatory agents to the intima (the delicate lining of blood vessels) which generates an automatic reaction resulting in the laying down of cholesterol on these injured areas like a band-aid, eventually causing plaque formation also known as atherosclerosis. By eating a healthy diet high in vegetables and fruits with enough fibre and avoiding or reducing simple carbohydrates, sugars, and junk foods in general, a reduction in blood sugar levels and insulin can be accomplished.

There are many different supplements and herbs that have been used for heart health, for centuries in some cases. As cardiovascular disease affects several different facets of health including blood pressure and circulation it is logical that an effective formula should approach this condition from several different directions at the same time. Why be content to only deal with one symptom of cardiovascular disease when you can include different ingredients in the same formula that will effectively treat other common conditions associated with heart disease creating a synergistic effect. These simultaneous approaches will make the formula much stronger in its effect and reduce the time it takes to see results.

Thrombosis or Embolism prevention
There are several definitions relating to thrombosis or embolism but all basically mean the same thing.

• The sudden blocking of an artery by a clot or foreign material which has been brought to its site of blockage by blood flow.

If you do a search on the internet for "antioxidants and plaque reduction", you will get over 165,000 hits, which should give you some idea of the importance of antioxidant protection in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. The importance of antioxidants in health is a relatively new concept and is closely associated with free radical generation and the aging process. A surprising number of chronic degenerative conditions are all associated with low levels of antioxidant activity in the body including heart attacks, angina, heart failure and strokes.

High blood pressure is universally associated with cardiovascular issues to some degree or another. Conversely if we can reduce chronic high blood pressure this is an indication of improvement either in circulation or health of the vessel walls, both of which are highly desirable.

Even if a formula contains all of the necessary supplements and herbs needed to simultaneously and successfully treat the various conditions associated with cardiovascular disease, it would do little good if these constituents were not easily absorbed into the body where they can do their work. For this reason, a liquid formula format would be the best choice to ensure the most effective absorption and utilization of the formula.

Perhaps one of the most important characteristics of a truly effective formula is the dosage. It can do no good if therapeutic levels are not easily accomplished daily. For this reason therapeutic levels of all the active constituents must be easily accomplished in one or two doses per day in order to ensure patient compliance and eventual success.

Martin Stone consults for a number of international nutritional companies and has over 17 years of clinical practice experience at the Wild Rose Wholistic Clinic. He is a member of the Canadian Herbal Practioners Association and was involved in the Premier’s Commission on the future of health care in Alberta.