Cardiac problems are increasing very rapidly globally; this includes diseased vessels, structural problems, and blood clots. Heart disease is often a silent killer, and a leading cause of death for men and women of all races. Cardiovascular disease is a non-communicable disease taking the lives of about 17 million people each year. These problems are attributed to modernization, rapid urbanization, socioeconomic status, and increased consumption of processed foods. The term cardiovascular refers to the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular)—the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, which carry the blood throughout the body

Cardiovascular diseases therefore are disorders of the heart and blood vessels. These disorders include unstable angina, heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms), valve disease, high blood pressure, and others.

Coronary heart disease is a disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle itself. Cerebrovascular disease is a disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain. Peripheral arterial disease is a disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs. Rheumatic heart disease is damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic fever, which is caused by streptococcal bacteria. Congenital heart disease is a birth defect that affects the normal development and functioning of the heart caused by malformations of the heart structure from birth. Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot located in the deep veins of the body, usually in the legs, which can dislodge and move to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS AND atherosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body (arteries) become thick and stiff, sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, but over time, as one ages, the walls in the arteries can harden, a condition commonly called “hardening of the arteries”.

Atherosclerosis occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. These deposits are called plaques. Over time, these plaques can narrow or completely block the arteries and cause problems throughout the body. These plaques can also burst, triggering a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body

Aortic (the largest artery carrying blood away from the heart) atherosclerosis can cause thoracic and abdominal aneurysms (a bulging or weakening area in the wall of the vessel). Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) including, angina, heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. Atherosclerosis is mainly located in the innermost layer of many middle-sized and large arteries, especially where the vessels divide.

SYMPTOMS

Mild atherosclerosis usually does not have symptoms, but develops gradually until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it cannot supply adequate blood to your organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow, or even breaks apart triggering a heart attack or stroke.

Other signs can be experienced when moderate or severe atherosclerosis occurs depending on the arteries affected. For instance, if you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your kidneys, you develop high blood pressure or kidney failure. Atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your genitals can affect reproductive function. If you have atherosclerosis in your heart arteries, you may have symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure (angina). If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your brain, you may have signs and symptoms such as sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, or drooping muscles in your face. These signal a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which, if left untreated, may progress to a stroke. If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries in your arms and legs, you may have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, such as leg pain when walking.

CAUSES

Atherosclerosis is a slow, and progressive disease that may begin as early as childhood. It may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery. The damage may be caused by:

  • High blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol, often from getting too much cholesterol or saturated fats in your diet.
  • High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in your blood.
  • Smoking and other sources of tobacco.
  • Diabetes.
  • Inflammation from diseases, such as arthritis, lupus, infections, or inflammation from unknown causes.

SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK

Signs of a heart attack may include nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, feelings of anxiety, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, sudden ringing in the ears, and loss of speech. The heart attack itself may feel like a band of intense pressure on the heart. A sharp pain is produced, which may last for several minutes, often extending to the shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw. It may be a small attack, producing relatively little discomfort. Sometimes it is mistaken as indigestion. In some cases, there are no symptoms at all. This is termed a “silent heart attack.”

ANGINA AND HEART ATTACK

The arteries that nourish the heart muscle itself are the coronary arteries. But if these arteries become narrowed, not enough oxygen and nutrients are supplied to the heart, and not enough carbon dioxide and waste products are excreted it causes tight, heavy chest pain and happens usually following some exertion or after taking a meal. This is called Angina and can last 30-60 seconds.  When the heart is not getting enough blood, your body sets off warning signals that the heart is at risk of damage. Angina is the specific type of pain you experience when the heart is in trouble. The pain generally recedes when the person rests. But it is a forewarning of events to come.

If the blood flow through the coronary arteries becomes entirely blocked or limited enough so that t does not reach a part of the heart, then a heart attack occurs. This refers to the formation of infarcts (areas of local tissue decay or death) in the myocardium (heart muscle). A heart attack does not always kill, but, whether it is mild or severe, a heart attack always produces some irreparable damage to the heart. The problem may not be in the heart, but in the arteries which nourish it. The arteries have hardened, and when cholesterol and other materials flow through them, a clot (also called a thrombus) may occur. The hardened walls do not flex to let the clot pass through.

Lack of oxygen and nutrients can also cause spasm of the coronary arteries, resulting in a heart attack. Then there is high blood pressure (called hypertension) which also prepares the way for a heart attack. When the heart pumps blood, the blood flows through the body at a fairly rapid speed. The muscular contractions of the heart produce a certain amount of pressure which produces this pumping action throughout the body, but sometimes the pressure builds up too high because the arteries are too narrow.

Angina then is when you feel there is not enough oxygen

coming to the heart, and a heart attack is when there is actual damage to the heart.

Caffeine is addictive and many people cannot start their day without coffee or tea containing caffeine, however, it greatly increases the incidence of coronary heart disease.

Today there is a widespread movement to improve one’s health by changing the diet. For example: reducing the intake of fats, especially animal fats, in order to reduce the blood cholesterol and the dangers of atherosclerosis.

“Nut foods are coming largely into use to take the place of flesh meats. . . When properly prepared, olives, like nuts, supply the place of butter and flesh meats. The oil, as eaten in the olive, is far preferable to animal oil or fat.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 298

“The Creator of man has arranged the living machinery of our bodies. Every function is wonderfully and wisely made. And God has pledged Himself to keep this machinery in healthful action if the human agent will obey His laws, and co-operate with God. Every law governing the human machinery is to be considered just as truly divine in origin, in character, and in importance, as the word of God. Every careless, inattentive action, any abuse put upon the Lord’s wonderful mechanism, by disregarding his specified laws in human habitation, is a violation of God’s law. We may behold and admire the work of God in the natural world, but human habitation is the most wonderful.” –Counsels for the Church, p. 215

“Bad circulation causes the blood to become impure, induces congestion of the brain and lungs, and causes diseases of the heart, the liver, and the lungs.” –The Health Reformer, August 1, 1868

Perfect health depends upon perfect circulation. “The more active the circulation the more free will be the blood from obstructions and impurities. The blood nourishes the body. The health of the body depends upon the healthful circulation of the blood. . . . At every pulsation of the heart, the blood should be propelled to the extremities quickly and easily in order to have health.” –Ibid., May 1, 1873

HEALTH TIPS

Here are some health guidelines that you should try to follow to reduce the risk of having cardiovascular disease of any kind.

1.Eat high-fiber foods that are low in fat and cholesterol. Primarily eat fruits, vegetables, and grains. Dark green leafy vegetables are important. Wheat bran, and other particulate fibers are not as effective as those in fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

  1. Eat foods rich in vitamin E. This includes nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
  2. Only use cold-pressed vegetable oils (soy, corn, wheat germ, flaxseed). Never heat these oils; place them on your food at the table.
  3. Avoid refined sugar.
  4. Do not eat animal protein;
  5. 6  Do not eat processed, dairy, white flour, spiced, or fried foods. Avoid pies, ice cream, excess salt, egg yolks, sugar, coffee, colas, nicotine, and alcohol.
  6. Garlic eaten with foods tends to reduce the likelihood of cholesterol clogging arteries.
  7. Eat no free oils or trans fats.
  8. Eggplant tends to lower cholesterol levels.
  9. Both peanut oil and coconut oil increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
  10. Reduce stress and avoid situations causing it.
  11. Get regular moderate exercise. Walking every day is the best.
  12. A strict vegan diet is a good way to avoid artery problems.
  13. Overweight people should reduce their weight. Even 20% or more above ideal weight carries a significantly increased risk of atherosclerosis. Ideal weight is a BMI of 18.5–24.5.
  14. Do not smoke or use nicotine in any other form. Avoid second-hand smoke.
  15. Eliminate all environmental sources of metal poisoning, such as aluminum or copper cooking utensils and contaminated water, etc.
  16. Do not eat large evening meals. Best: Only eat plain fruit and plain bread for supper, and do this several hours before bedtime.
  17. Chromium (found in brewer’s yeast, whole grains, and supplements) added to the diet lowers cholesterol. Vitamin D can elevate blood cholesterol.
  18. Keep the extremities warm to maintain good circulation in them. Do not wear constrictive clothing (belts, garters, girdles, tight hosiery, etc.)
  19. Avoid constipation, which weakens the liver and kidneys and sludges the blood.
  20. Drink enough water
  21. Periodically check your blood pressure.

By Daniel Kimeu