Looking at the physical Heart

 Psalms 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.

Proverbs 4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence;
 for out of it are the issues of life.

   John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: 

ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Looking at the physical Heart

Debbie Mirander, RN, BSN, CNHP, Holistic Health Educator,

 I would like to review the cardiac system (heart) with you.

It is good to know how our heart functions, as it is one of the most vital organs of the body.

We must take extra precaution to guard our heart and it's every function.

Your heart muscle needs oxygen to survive. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood flow can slowly become narrow from a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that together are called plaque. This slow process is known as atherosclerosis. When a plaque in a heart artery breaks, a blood clot can form around the plaque. This blood clot can block the blood flow through the heart muscle. When the heart muscle is starved for oxygen and nutrients, it is called ischemia. When damage or death of part of the heart muscle occurs as a result of ischemia, it is called a heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI). About every 34 seconds, someone in the United States has a myocardial infarction (heart attack).  Source: American Heart Association

The heart muscle begins to heal soon after a heart attack and usually takes about eight weeks. Scar tissue may form in the damaged area, and that scar tissue does not contract or pump as well as healthy muscle tissue. The extent of damage to the heart muscle can impact how well the heart pumps blood throughout the body. The degree of loss of function depends on the size and location of the scar tissue. Most heart attacks survivors have some degree of coronary artery disease (CAD) and will have to make important lifestyle changes and possibly take medication to prevent a future heart attack and lead a full, productive life.

Everyone should try to learn CPR (Courses for layperson given by fire stations.)

Risk factors

(Can be changed by lifestyle modification) 

Tobacco smoke
High blood cholesterol- Can lead to atherosclerosis (Fat builds in blood.)
High blood pressure
Physical inactivity
Obesity and overweight
Diabetes mellitus
Homocysteine levels (Please research this important lab test.)
Lack of Folic Acid
Lack of Vitamins B6 and B12
Genetics

Hereditary risk factor cannot be changed, but lifestyle modification can decrease risk factor despite hereditary risks.  And through prayer to break generational curse.

Symptoms

-Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involves discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

-Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

-Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

-Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or feeling lightheaded.

Assisting in a healthy heart

Get active- strengthens heart muscle and lung function.

Eat healthy- Increase fiber if tolerated, reduced salt and sugar.

Lose weight if overweight.  Easily said than done but don’t give up!

Stop smoking- Causes irritation of the blood vessels and heart.

Control cholesterol - Can build up in the blood vessels causing blockage.

Manage blood pressure- Increase B/P increases pressure on the heart.

Reduce blood sugar- High BS often correlates with high cholesterol levels.

For women concerned with calcium intake.  Certain kinds of calcium can build up in the  blood vessels.  Calcium citrate is easier to digest.
Years ago chelation therapy removed calcium from the vessels.  Too much calcium can end up in vessels (Thyroid issues, kidneys stones can be causes by too much Calcium Oxalate)

Anti-inflammatory diet- Helps repair damage to blood vessels and vital organs.

Adequate sleep-  Our body tries to self repair during sleep.

Reduce stress - Stress can age you.  Sets up acidic conditions in the body and inflammation along with a number of other things, including cortisone.  Increases heart rate.  Keeps the body in a fight or flight mode.  Chemical reactions that are not good.

**We must protect our kidneys and other vital organs as well by keeping toxin levels down in our body.  Consume natural foods and use natural body products to reduced chemical build up.  Including organic foods. This takes the load off of kidneys, liver and other vital organs.

Practice the art of forgiveness.  Not worth holding on to grudges.

Complimentary Regime (Supplements)

CoQ10 - Assist in strengthening heart muscles, increase lung function, anti-

oxidants.  Increases energy.  Assist to increase ATP reserve. Sources: Fatty fish, chicken, eggs, veggies, grains. (Controversial still, but with known benefits by users)

Omega 3 fish oil - Baby aspirin is recommended by MDs  - Omega 3 fish oil naturally thins the blood assisting in preventing blood clots in arteries.  Also greatly reduces inflammation.  Sources: Fish, flaxseed oil, cod liver oil.  One additional supplement that is known to assist in decreasing inflammation is Black Seed  Oil (BSO).  It is a plant source of Omega 3.

Hawthrorne Berry - Assist in strengthening the blood vessel and assist to reduce blood pressure.

Magnesium - helps to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood

vessels. 

Potassium supplement -  Assist in regulating electrolytes aiding in reducing B/P. Caution if there is kidney dysfunction.            

Garlic - Natural blood thinner and anticoagulant. Garlic is such a good anticoagulant, in fact, the Mayo Clinic advises patients to stop taking it for two weeks before surgery.  It’s also a natural ACE Inhibitor. As the body increases production of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), blood pressure increases. Pharmaceutical ACE inhibitors work by blocking the formation of ACE. Glutamylcysteine is a natural ACE inhibitor, and adenosine helps to dilate artery walls. Garlic contains both. Hydrogen sulfide and a high allicin content also give garlic its ability to inhibit angiotensin II and dilate arterial walls.

Vitamin D - People who have insufficient levels of vitamin D in their blood have a higher risk of developing heart disease than people who have good vitamin D levels. Having poor levels of vitamin D may raise your risk of calcium buildup -- which is a part of plaque -- in your arteries.

Vitamin C - Assist in reducing inflammation. Vitamin C may help protect arteries against damage. Some studies propose that vitamin C can impede the progression of atherosclerosis -- hardening of the arteries. Furthermore, people whose diets are inadequate in vitamin C may be more likely to have peripheral artery disease, a stroke or a heart attack. Peripheral artery disease develops when plaque accumulates in the walls of the arteries, which supply blood to your limbs and organs. The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C is 75 milligrams for women.   And 90 milligrams for men per day. Although natural practitioners suggests much more. For a healthy and robust heart, include vitamin C-rich foods in your diet such as oranges, strawberries, watermelon, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, cauliflower and cabbage.

B-12 - Helps Regulate Homocysteine Levels.  Sources: Found mostly in animal foods, including fish. Deficiencies may develop among strict vegans, as there are no identified natural vegetable sources of B-12.  Therefore natural supplements are important.

Oils and Fats

Coconut Oil- actually helps reduce cholesterol and assist in reducing inflammation.  And a good fat despite being saturated.  ( Conflicting recommendation still exists)

Butter has saturated fat but margarine is worst because of the trans fatty acid which increases inflammation and does more damage to the internal vessels. Try to choose organic butter if used.  However use very sparely.

References:

Diet & Nutrition, A Holistic Approach Rudolph Ballentine, M.D.

The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine Third Edition Michael T. Murray N.D. & Joseph Pizzorno, ND

Disease Prevention and Treatment, Fifth Edition Life Extension
American Heart Association's website

For more information of preventing heart disease, 
visit the American Heart Association’s website at 
 http://www.heart.org