Reversing cardiovascular disease may actually be in within our reach based on current scientific evidence. To understand how to accomplish this, it is first important to understand some basics about how arteries work and why they break down.

Our arteries are lined by a thin layer of cells, called the endothelium. This thin layer forms an interface between circulating blood and the rest of the vessel wall. Endothelial cells line all of the blood vessels in the circulatory system, including the capillaries. These cells also control the passage of materials into and out of the bloodstream.

The beginning of cardiovascular disease occurs when the endothelium starts to function improperly. One of the main reasons the endothelial cells malfunction is diminishing levels of nitric oxide. Endothelial cells normally produces nitric oxide. By controlling the elasticity of the blood vessel walls, nitric oxide protects blood vessels from injury and allows the heart to contract normally. It also helps prevent atherosclerosis.

A diminishing level of endothelial nitric oxide that occurs with aging, results in the arteries becoming stiff and blocked, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Another mechanism of damage occurs when low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is oxidized, it adheres to the arteries causing a buildup of blockages. Now that we know what the two main mechanisms are, what can we do to stop, and reverse the process?

Are drugs the answer? The mainstream medical community prescribes various drugs such as aspirin, statin, and hypertensive drugs. While these do have a beneficial effect on the endothelium, they really only serve as a band-aid for a serious problem. In reality, they may only postpone a serious vascular event (ie. Heart attack, stroke).

The key is to promote the body's natural defenses for the endothelium on a sub-cellular level. By increasing the nitric oxide levels and inhibiting the free radicals that oxidize the LDLs, we can accomplish this. A group of naturally occurring compounds called polyphenols have been shown to dramatically and positively influence these functions.

This antioxidant "superfood" protects the blood vessels against the inactivation of nitric oxide. In turn, this rapidly reverses a key component of endothelial dysfunction in humans. Also, since polyphenols exert strong antioxidant activity, they are able to inhibit dangerous free radical damage.

Here are the overall health benefits of Polyphenols:

1. Increases circulating Nitric Oxide.

2. Lowers vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM). VCAM is instrumental in promoting leukocyte (white blood cell) adhesion to the endothelial lining. This may play a major role in the development of artherosclerosis.

3. Lowers blood pressure.

4. Inhibits plasma lipid oxidation

5. One of the highest sources of antioxidants in U.S. diet.

6. Animal models using polyphenols inhibited atherosclerosis.

7. Reduced platelet aggregation modestly. Platelets are responsible for the formation of blood clots.

8. Improved Insulin sensitivity.

9. Improved cognitive performance

Just how potent of antioxidant is one of these specific groups of polyphenols? One spoonful is equal to 2.5 gallons of raw leafy vegetables. The bottom line is that polyphenols should be included as part of complete and healthful diet.

Congestive heart failure is a dramatic and potentially deadly occurrence. It is a contributing factor is the deaths of 300,000 more individuals each year. Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood efficiently to all tissues. Congestive heart failure is the most common cause of hospitalization for people over 65 years of age. Congestive heart failure is easily confused with breathing difficulties, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, and asthma.

The human body is a fantastic machine that works in harmony with nature. The machinery needs proper care and sometimes parts replaced on occasion. Likewise the heart also needs help to prevent failure. It may not pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, which can lead into congestive heart failure. Many other underlying conditions can also cause congestive heart failure.

Over time and with the wear and tear of the body the heart can develop such things as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure, which can lead to congestive heart failure. These things sap your strength leaving the heart with the inability to pump efficiently causing a very dangerous break down. It is very important that you take care of yourself because these things while not reversible are quite preventable.

There are many medicines and procedures that can treat the conditions you have to improve your survival rate. These medications if taken properly can help control your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other things that might be adversely affecting your heart. The field of medicine has come a very long way in recent years providing medicines to prevent congestive heart failure.

The cardiologist who is a heart specialist can inform you about surgical techniques such as by-pass surgery or stents to help open up the flow of your blood through your veins. Many things are possible to help prolong your life. You need only ask your doctor for advice as to what you need. It is quite possible for you to do things for yourself that will help a heart in good health.

Congestive heart failure may be prevented by making changes to your lifestyle. This does not always need to be a big change but some things in your life are controllable. Firstly look at your diet. Eating a heart healthy diet is very important for your heart. Watch out for excessive salt intake, fatty foods, and sweet indulgences as these can cause congestive heart failure. The problem of being over weight can lead to other problems such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. These conditions need to be kept under control in order to prevent congestive heart failure. In today's world it is increasingly important to know how to manage stress, overcome depression and simply improve the quality of our life.

Managing stress can become a stressful problem in itself for many people. Many people enjoy the benefit of belonging to a gym or owning equipment that they use in their homes. Some of us do not have the time, money, or space to afford such items. A person who sits daily in his office may feel the tensions building up to the point of no relief and even go into a depressive condition. This is very bad for the your heart. Our hearts feels our emotions like love, sadness, hate, excitement along with stress and depression. Congestive heart failure is the number one killer of men and women can be easily be prevented. Prevention begins at home with you learning to take care of your needs.

Please remember that if you are not taking care to prevent congestive heart failure you will be missing all those extra years with your loved ones and friends. My grandmother died before the birth of my children and I have always regretted that she didn't get to meet them. She was a very heavy smoker for many years and it seriously impacted on her health. Even what might be considered small steps will help to ensure that you don't become a victim of congestive heart failure.

Heart disease or cardiovascular disease is the leading health problem in the Western world today, claiming more than one million lives annually. Heart disease is when the heart and blood vessels fail to maintain the minimal amount of blood circulation throughout the body due to the narrowing of blood vessels. Cardiovascular Disease is a major concern in almost every family today, as nearly everyone has been touched by the traumatic events following a Heart Attack of a family member.

Heart health contributes to health longevity because it affects not only the body but also the mind, and therefore has a long-term role in anti-aging.

Different Types of Heart Disease:

Coronary Heart Disease
Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)
Congestive Heart Failure
Heart Valve Disease
Angina

Coronary heart disease, or coronary artery disease is the accumulation of fatty deposits along the coronary arteries. The fatty deposits may have developed in your childhood, and continue to thicken and enlarge throughout your adult lifespan. That thickening narrows your arteries and can decrease or block the flow of blood to your heart.

Symptoms may include heaviness, tightness, pressure, and/or pain in your chest..

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when your heart muscle experiences a severe or prolonged lack of oxygen caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle.

The blockage is often a result of a build up of cholesterol and other fatty substances, which obstruct the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart, thus reducing the flow to the rest of your body.

If the blood and oxygen supply is cut off severely or for a long period, the muscle cells of your heart may suffer damage and even die, the result of which is dysfunction of the muscles of your heart in the area affected by the lack of oxygen supply.

Symptoms may include

Severe pressure, fullness, squeezing, pain and/or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes

Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulders, neck, arms, or jaw

Chest pain that increases in intensity, not relieved by rest. and/or sweating, paleness, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, weakness or fatigue.

Indigestion, bloating, burping and irregular pulse.

Congestive Heart failure is another type of heart disease. It is when the heart is not supplying the other organs of the body with enough oxygenated blood, and can be the result of high blood pressure, high sodium intake, heart valve disease, previous heart attacks ,to name a few.

Symptoms include:

weight gain,
swelling of legs and ankles,
shortness of breath,
fatigue,
loss of appetite
nausea,
persistent cough.

Yet another type of cardiovascular disease can be the result of malfunctioning heart valve.
When the heart valves malfunction, it prevents the flow of blood in and out of the heart. This is called Heart Valve Disease. This can be due to damage from a previous heart attack.

Symptoms include:

chest pain,
palpitations,
shortness of breath,
fatigue,
migraines and dizziness.

Angina is when a part of the heart is not receiving enough blood. It is identified by recurring chest pain. It is a symptom of coronary heart disease.

Symptoms include:

squeezing or crushing pain in the chest,
pain in the arms, shoulders, jaw, neck and back.

Heart health contributes to health longevity because it affects not only the body but also the mind, and therefore has a long-term role in anti-aging.

Doctors must diagnose correctly if one is to receive proper and beneficial treatment for heart disease. Some common methods for diagnosing heart disease are, electrocardiogram(EKG), where a set of sensory pads are placed on strategic areas of your chest and a record of the heart's beating patterns are recorded.

Another method is the Stress Electrocardiogram(Stress EKG), where one is put under physical stress , like running on a treadmill, where abnormalities in the beat of the heart are recorded.
Angiocardiography is another method which is used to diagnose the condition of the arteries. A catheter is inserted into the artery and dye is released into the blood stream. Blockages and other abnormalities are discovered on a monitor, by observing the dye flowing through the arteries.

It is always best to have a heart check up every year as part of the normal annual check up regardless of age, as heart disease can strike at any time.

Today everyone is concerned about his or her heart health and are attempting to lower cholesterol, keep blood pressure under control, maintain a healthy digestion and boost the immunity. Thus many people are jumping onto a sort of 'functional food wagon'. What exactly is a functional food wagon? In simple terms a functional food wagon is just foods that promote healthy body functions, helping the body repair itself and work optimally. Before you jump onto the trend first lay the foundation of a healthy diet with whole foods, then weave in functional foods.

Here are the experts' top 6 recommendations for foods that are vital for your heart health.

1. Calcium: Calcium in foods helps to lower high blood pressure, helps with regular heart beat, and builds strong bones (even men are at risk for osteoporosis). Calcium is a nutrient most of us aren't getting enough of. One of the best ways to get calcium is through foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt, not everyone likes or can tolerate dairy. Here's where functional foods can play a part, say the pros. Along with eating calcium-rich whole foods like dark, leafy greens, look for fortified orange juice, breads, waffles, and soy milk. And don't forget to get enough vitamin D, which is vital to calcium's absorption.

Calcium requirements: Adults and pregnant women aged 19 to 50 years - 1000 mg per day, adults over 51 years - 1200 mg and pregnant women below 19 years - 1300 mg daily.

2. Fiber: We all know that fiber aids in digestion, but keeping us regular is just the beginning. This major nutrient also helps fight disease, and may lower risk for high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Produce and whole grains are prime sources for heart-healthy fiber, while functional foods such as breads, cereals, soymilk, and yogurts can fill in gaps.

Fiber requirements: At least aim for 30 grams daily.

3. Omega-3 fatty acids: One of the most powerful nutrients known to mankind, these poly-unsaturated fats are essential for a wide range of functions. Omega-3 fatty acids not only raise good, HDL cholesterol and lower bad LDL cholesterol, they may also lower your risk of heart attack and strokes. whole foods rich in omega-3s like salmon, walnuts and flax, as well as functional foods such as omega-3-rich eggs, breads, milk, soy milk, and cereal are excellent sources.

Requirement: For people with documented heart disease 1 gram daily. For others eating fish twice a week will give the requirements that the body needs.

4. Plant sterols and stanols: Plant sterols reduce cholesterol in the blood and help people fight coronary artery disease. Plant sterols and stanols are found in small amounts naturally in grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. To get better quantities and if you have high cholesterol, look for plant sterols in margarine, fortified juices, granola bars, among other foods.

Requirements: For those with high cholesterol levels at least 2 grams per day. For those with low or normal cholesterol no additional requirement apart from diet is recommended till date.

5. Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms very similar to the beneficial ones that are already present in our gut. Though still in the early stages of study, encouraging evidence suggests that probiotics may benefit those on antibiotics, those with some bowel disorders, diarrhea, or certain infections. While yogurt is a well-known functional food with probiotics, one can also find them in juices and soy drinks though some foods have far more than others.

Requirement: No actual recommendations exist. If you feel you can actually benefit from them talk to your doctor.

6. Vitamin D: Vitamin D is one of those vitamins that we just cannot do without. Known to prevent a wide variety of illnesses including cancers, Vitamin D is easily available. Just 10-15 minutes in warm sunshine for several weeks can enable the body to synthesize its requirement. The limiting factors are geography, dark skin, sunscreens and season. Thus one has to resort to functional foods like milk, yoghurt and fruit juices for their supply of vitamin D.

Requirements: 200 international units daily for those under 50 years, 400 IU for people between 51-70 and 600 IU for those above 70 years.

Always remember that for good heart health you do need the foundations of a good diet. The basics of a heart-healthy living, includes eating lots of good-for-you foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains, getting plenty of exercise, and maintaining your weight. In addition to this resorting to the functional foods will fortify your heart's health.