The cardiovascular system, also commonly referred to simply as the circulatory system, consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries). In a nutshell, the cardiovascular system is responsible for the supply of oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide and other waste products.
At a Glance
When your heart health is not at its best…
How to get your heart working for you…
Frequently Asked Questions
Did You Know?
When your heart health is not at its best…
Conditions and Symptoms
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the collective term used for numerous heart and blood vessel disorders. CVD is a leading cause of death, killing one Australian every 10 minutes.1 Some of the common CVD conditions are described below.
Atherosclerosis
High levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and other fats in the blood may contribute to the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis, causing narrowing of the blood vessels and thus increasing the risk of CVD.
Coronary heart disease (CHD)
In CHD, the blood vessels responsible for carrying blood to the heart are affected by atherosclerosis, reducing the blood flow to heart muscle. Symptoms may range from chest pain (angina) to life-threatening heart attack.
CHD is the most common cause of death in Australia.2
Stroke
In a process that is very similar to that of a heart attack, the most common type of stroke is caused by a blockage of a blood vessel that supplies an area of the brain.
Symptoms of stroke may include the sudden onset of:
- numbness, tingling and/or loss of strength on one side of the body (e.g. face, arm and/or leg)
- difficulty in finding the correct words to say
- loss of balance
- abnormal vision (e.g. double or poor vision).
90% of Australians have at least one modifiable risk factor for heart, stroke and vascular diseases. These risk factors include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and being overweight.3
High cholesterol; LDL-cholesterol oxidation
A high level of LDL cholesterol is regarded as a major risk factor for CVD. It is thought that when LDL cholesterol becomes damaged by free radicals, it can initiate the development of atherosclerosis. Free radicals are produced by the body’s normal processes but can also be derived from exposure to pollution, radiation and cigarette smoke.
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How to get your heart working for you…
Key Supportive Nutrients
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
The primary function of CoQ10 is energy production in the cells of our body. This is significant in heart health because the cells that make up our heart are some of the most active in the body. They require an adequate supply of CoQ10 just to maintain normal healthy function. People with CVD have been found to be low in CoQ10.
Studies support the use of CoQ10 in cardiovascular conditions such as enlarged heart, congestive heart failure, angina, high blood pressure, and damage to the heart following heart attack or heart surgery.
In addition, CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant that can help reduce free radical damage to LDL cholesterol. Animal research indicates that it may act as a preventative factor in the development of atherosclerosis.
Fish oils
A large body of research supports the use of fish oils (or its constituents EPA and DHA) to maintain healthy heart and blood vessel function. Fish oil supplementation may help to:
- reduce the development of atherosclerosis
- maintain a healthy heartbeat
- maintain the flexibility of blood vessels to promote a healthy blood flow
- support healthy blood triglyceride levels (like cholesterol, triglycerides are a type of fat that is strongly associated with heart disease, especially CHD).
The National Heart Foundation of Australia recommends that adults with CHD consume a substantial amount of EPA and DHA on a daily basis.4
Consult your local pharmacist for further information on how these key nutrients can help improve your heart health.
Dietary and Lifestyle Factors
Healthy body fat percentage and waist circumference
There is ample evidence that excess body fat increases the risk of atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other CVD. The association is particularly strong when the excess body fat is concentrated around the waistline. Research suggests that a waist circumference greater than 94cm in men or 80cm in women (Caucasians) indicates an increased risk; a waist circumference greater than 102cm in men or 88cm in women indicates a substantially increased risk.6
Healthy protein intake as part of healthy eating
Since the first study on the effects on a very-low carbohydrate (high protein) diet was published in 1965, it has become clear that the majority of body weight lost when following a low carbohydrate, high protein diet, comes primarily from fatty tissue (as much as 97%). This is preferable to the loss of water or lean muscle mass that commonly occurs with many fad diets.7
These results have been reproduced in numerous studies. One such study found that in morbidly obese adolescents, ‘The weight loss with this approach is rapid, consistent, and almost exclusively from body fat stores’.7
Exercise
Being physically active is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only does exercise promote weight loss, it also improves mood, promotes better sleep, and helps to fight chronic diseases including CVD.
The National Heart Foundation recommends slowly working up to at least 30 minutes (or 3 x 10-minute sessions) of moderate intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.4
Your local pharmacist can provide further advice to help you achieve these lifestyle goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe for me to take supplements with my current medications?
In many cases it is safe to combine nutritional and herbal supplements with medications; however, there are obviously some exceptions. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional/pharmacist before adding a supplement to an existing regime.
Did You Know?
The human body naturally produces a significant amount of CoQ10. However, after peaking at the age 20 years, our body levels start to decline.8 Moreover, certain drugs—including those commonly used to lower cholesterol—block its production in the body making supplementation highly recommended.
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