Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in America today. It can be prevented, cured, and even reversed! Hense, my writing this article on Cardiac Health.

In January 2008, I had a heart attack and had five stents put in my chest. Realizing that although this repaired the blockage in my arteries, I began extensive research into potential solutions to restore my cardiac health.

I uncovered a massive amount of research which has been done on natural alternatives. The pharmaceutical companies spend millions to convince us that only commonly prescribed drugs will fix you. I have found out otherwise and am trying to get the word out that there are alternatives.

Many are aware of the untimely passing of Tim Russert 58, NBC newsman who died June 13, 2008 of a massive heart attack. His doctor had diagnosed him with coronary artery disease for which he had been prescribed medication and exercise. He also performed well on a stress test in April. For about one third of all with coronary disease, sudden death is the first symptom.

There is very little one can do (except preventative action) to predict sudden cardiac arrest which takes more than 310,000 Americans every year. That is more than breast cancer, lung cancer, stroke and AIDS. Russert's death is a wake-up call to thousands of men and women who never thought they might be courting a coronary.

Forty-two percent of all deaths in the United States are directly related to circulatory disorders.

Some figures are related below:

Heart Disease kills 361,276 men & 371,133 women

Cancer including lung kills 280,465 men and 253,845 women

Strokes kill 60,225 men & 93,081 women

Diabetes + Atherosclerosis make these the number one killer today!

The circulatory system is vulnerable based on many factors including the genetic factor, which is how I became interested (inherited heart issues from my parents). I haven't smoked, was not eating high fat foods, I have exercised regularly and do not live a stressful life. Yet, I found myself in the hospital with chest pains and a heart attack.

There are four fantastic resource books that have been written concerning arginine and nitric oxide. They answered all of my questions about these powerful substances. These books document how the natural amino acid ingredient arginine, and nitric oxide which is created by the endothelium (smooth muscles lining the inside of blood vessels) from arginine are an answer to most folk's prayers. They are proven by these books to be a natural preventative and cure for heart attack and stroke.

It was very fortunate I was in the hospital when I had my heart attack, for 30% of heart attacks the very first warning is instant death. The U. S. healthcare system is dominated by expensive technologies to treat patients after they suffer a heart attack. Very little is done to prevent heart attacks.

Arginine is the body's key source of nitrogen. After reviewing the evidence, my position is that I believe along with the authors of the four resource books, that arginine is essential for many individuals, especially as they age. While young, our cardiovascular and other bodily systems have not yet suffered the damage that often comes with aging. It is in our latter years, when the cardiovascular system's need for ADNO becomes greater than ever, because our health has been compromised by years of heart un-healthy habits or genetics.

If you already suffer from atherosclerosis, hypertension, and the cavalcade of other chronic disorders -- I believe based on my research, that supplementing your body with 5 grams per day of liquid arginine is critical to your long-term health. L-arginine is reasonably priced and available in many health food stores in capsule, powder and tablet form. In order to get the adequate supplementation to your diet it is easier and less expensive to use the liquid which has a 90% assimilation in a quality liquid form.




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Supporting heart health includes a combination of exercise, a heart healthy diet and heart supplements. Each of these three elements plays an important role in promoting heart health and the combination of all three works in synergy for maximum heart health benefits.

Exercise

The American Heart Association suggests that even moderate activity can be beneficial for the heart. According the studies the effect of inactivity on the heart is comparable to that of smoking, raised cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. So living an inactive lifestyle may be as harmful for the heart as smoking!

The American Heart Association recommends that all healthy adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, five days a week. Such activities can include swimming, jogging, aerobic dancing, yard work, gardening, walking, climbing stairs, or cycling.

Aerobic exercises in particular help to stimulate the production of oxygen in the blood and increase heart palpitation. This gives a good workout for the heart and lungs. Anaerobic exercise helps to build muscles. It is advisable to mix your exercise routine with aerobic, anaerobic and stretches.

Exercise helps to:

* Strengthen the functions of the heart and lungs, as well as other organs in the body.
* Build strength and endurance
* Help to increase energy levels
* Optimize metabolism
* Release stress and tension accumulated in joints and muscles
* Increases joint mobility and flexibility
* Supports healthy circulation of blood to all organs
* Tones skin health
* Helps promote regularity of bowel movements
* Supports immune health

Before starting any exercise program consult with your doctor for an exercise regiment that is suitable for you.

Diet that Supports (Heart) Health

There is really no such thing as a heart healthy diet! What we're talking about is well-balanced nutrition which is recommended for everyone. The reason we think it's a heart healthy diet is because of the consequences associated with unhealthy eating which have a direct or indirect influence on heart health.

A well balanced diet supports healthy eating habits and overall health, including cardio health. A balanced diet includes:

* At least 5 servings a day of fresh fruits and vegetables
* At least 6 cups a day of grains (preferably whole grains).
* An adequate intake of 25 to 40 grams of dietary fiber a day
* Watching your calories to maintain an optimal weight.
* Limiting your intake of high calories foods, as well foods that contain trans fats, hydrogenated oils, fast foods and fried foods.
* Eating fatty fish at least twice a week for the omega 3 benefits.
* Focus on eating nutritional foods, instead of high-calorie foods which have little nutritive value.

Heart Supplements

There are certain nutrients that research shows have a favorable affect on cardio health. Take a look at these nutrients and how they help to support heart functions:

* Omega 3 fatty acids. Both the Food and Drug Administration and the American Heart Association have recognized the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids for supporting heart health by helping to maintain normal cholesterol levels.
* CoQ10. This vitamin-like substance is concentrated in the heart muscles and provides energy for its functions.
* Folic acid.This member of the B vitamins helps to support healthy homocysteine levels, needed to arterial health.
* Phytosterols. Research indicates that phytosterols may play a role in the proper elimination of bad cholesterol from the system, inhibiting its absorption by the body.

A well-formulated cardio supplement like CardioMatrix contains a blend of the above heart-healthy nutrients. Used regularly, they play an active role in supporting cardio health along with a healthy diet and exercise regimen.




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More and more women are dying of heart disease. What is more dangerous is that most of the women who die of heart disease do not even know that they have it. Women are aware of cervical problems, of breast cancer but do not think that they are susceptible to heart disease.

Most people really think that women do not get heart disease. They also mistakenly believe that women have the same symptoms as men when it comes to heart disease. Both these assumptions are untrue.

Women get heart disease and the symptoms can be radically different. The symptoms are not normally the crushing pain that men get. It can be shortness of breath, anxiety, insomnia, chronic indigestion. Popping digestive pills and sedatives is what women do when they get these symptoms and this can aggravate the problem.

Uncontrollable risk factors for heart disease are:

1. Heredity. If you have a family history of heart disease or stroke you can be susceptible to heart disease.
2. If you are post menopausal or have had a hysterectomy, you are at risk.
3. After a certain age, you should get your heart exam done.

Controllable risk factors are;

1. Hypertension
2. Smoking
3. Cholesterol that has increased or decreased HDL
4. Diabetes
5. Obesity
6. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
7. Birth control pills along with smoking


Women have traditionally been care givers and do not take time off to look after themselves and this can aggravate the condition.

However, you should now start taking care of your own health and heart

1. Go through your family's medical history to know if you are at risk.
2. Start some sort of cardio exercises, at least for 30 minutes thrice a week.
3. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Include fresh leafy vegetables, food high in anti oxidants; reduce fats and red meats in your diet. Your diet should mainly comprise of whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
4. Ensure that your blood pressure is normal.
5. Have a positive and healthy attitude. Do not be negative. An excellent way to maintain this attitude is by yoga
6. Take proper rest.
7. Avoid smoking.
8. Eat foods rich in Vitamins B, B6 and B12, Vitamin C, and those that contain Beta Carotene and Selenium. You could take them as supplements too, since they are anti oxidant and you're your arteries healthy and supple.
9. Eat fish at least twice a week, as omega 3 fatty acids contained in the fish reduce blood clot formation. Alternatively take fish oil capsules.
10. Your diet should reduce your cholesterol and also provide you anti oxidants. Your regular exercise and meditation will also help you de-stress and bring hypertension into control. In case you have difficulty starting an exercise program, join yoga classes or start walking with a friend. This is an enjoyable way of socialising and also staying healthy.




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Unfortunately for those that suffer from high cholesterol there are no symptoms to look out for and the symptoms that do come along with only happen very rarely and this is when a more serious problem has arose. The only way that high cholesterol can really be identified is by a blood test that can be performed by a doctor or other healthcare professional.

The blood test that will be performed will look at the key lipids or fats in the blood such as LDL, HDL and Triglycerides and it is only when these have been analyzed can a positive result on high cholesterol can be given.

High cholesterol is one of the main important components and contributing factors for heart disease and other heart related problems, all of which can have potentially fatal results. With the majority of people that have high cholesterol, they do not realize that they have this problem until they have experienced their first heart attack or stroke and at this point the damage could already have been done.

The symptoms that will be noted from high cholesterol are very often related to the end scale result of the condition, such as coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and strokes or heart attacks. This are all potentially life threatening conditions and could have been prevented if the people that suffered from them had checked their cholesterol but because there are no symptoms, people believe that they are fit and healthy until something bad happens.

If you are over the age of twenty then it is highly advisable to visit your doctor or GP and have a cholesterol test at least once every five years. If there is a family history of high cholesterol as well as diabetes and heart disease and heart related problems, then it is rather advisable to have the test slightly more frequently to ensure that the same will not happen to you.

There are some people that will be at an increased risk of this condition and because of there being no symptoms of high cholesterol, it would make sense for them to have the cholesterol test on a yearly basis. These people that are at an increased risk are those smoke, are on specific medications or types of medication, those with a bad diet and also those with the family history. The older generation will also be at more of a risk as well and therefore the tests should be performed more regularly.



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