CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

The heart and vascular system is one of the largest and most important systems of the body. The cardiovascular system’s primary functions are to deliver oxygen and vital nutrition to cells throughout the body and to aid in the removal of cellular waste products. Throughout an average lifetime, the heart will beat more than two billion times and will pump enough blood to fill over 100 full-sized swimming pools: it never rests.

Obviously, we need to support the heart in its tireless efforts. Unfortunately as a nation, we are doing a very poor job of keeping our hearts healthy. Heart disease and stroke are our nation’s top killers. Even though these diseases are such major killers, they are both referred to as “silent killers” because the first symptom or sign in many cases is a fatal event. The cause of both conditions is often due to the process of arteriosclerosis or hardening of the artery walls. 

For example, “heart disease” is most often used to describe a disease of the heart’s blood vessels. These blood vessels, called coronary arteries, supply the heart muscle with vital oxygen and nutrients. If the blood flow through these arteries is restricted or blocked, severe damage to the heart muscle often occurs; this results in what is known as a “heart attack.” In most cases, the condition that blocks the supply of blood and oxygen is arteriosclerosis, caused by a build-up of plaque containing cholesterol, fatty material and cellular debris. In the case of a stroke, it is an artery in the brain that is blocked instead of the artery of the heart.

The key point regarding these two common causes of premature death is that arteriosclerosis is largely a disease of diet and lifestyle. Therefore, through living a healthy lifestyle, these major killers may not touch you or else may be significantly delayed.

To prevent a heart attack/stroke or avoid its recurrence, a complete change of nutrition is required. It is possible to reverse the hardening of the arteries with a radical change to a predominantly vegetarian diet of whole foods, consisting mostly of fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains and nuts and seeds.

Cayenne Pepper lowers cholesterol, dilates arteries, increases blood flow to the coronary circulation and inhibits blood platelets from accumulating. One teaspoon of Cayenne in a cup of water at the onset of a heart attack will help relieve it.

To keep arteries clear, include the essential fatty acids found in unrefined, cold-pressed nut and seed oils such as Flaxseed Oil. Saturated fats from red meat and trans-fatty acids found in shortening, margarine and commercially processed foods are a major cause of heart disease and must be strictly avoided. Fish is a much better source of protein than meat. Garlic lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, prevents clots and lowers blood pressure. Eat three fresh cloves daily or use Garlic capsules.

To help prevent heart attacks and to heal after an attack, herbal remedies provide effective complementary treatment. Hawthorn berries regulate, heal, repair and soothe the heart. These berries have the ability to restore the heart’s muscle by helping the cells of the heart muscle to function better since, under the influence of Hawthorn, the cells require less oxygen to do the same work. Hawthorn has also been found to improve arteriosclerosis of the arteries. The Chinese like to use Hawthorn berries to aid digestion in helping to break down fats in the digestive system: it seems that Hawthorn works both directly and indirectly to lessen the build-up of plaque in the arteries - a wonderful remedy indeed.

David Foley

MNIMH, MRCHM

Medical Herbalist