Atherosclerosis, the healthcare name for heart disease is the # 1 killer among North Americans. But what is it Well, sclerosis signifies “hardening” and athero identifies the type of debris that stops up and hardens arteries. In time, our risk factors gradually rise but specific risk factors are important in determining if we’re possible prospects and they include our years, blood pressure, total cholesterol levels and good (HDL) cholesterol amounts.
Warning Indicators
High overall cholesterol
High levels of cholesterol in the blood can contribute to atherosclerosis, which is the steady accumulation of fat, cholesterol and other particles along the sides of your arteries. It’s named plaque and it can accumulate enough to narrow and harden the artery. If the plaque is severe enough, it can slow blood flow past the blockage. Chunks can also break loose and cause a heart attack or stroke. An acceptable cholesterol level is 170 mg/dL or lower.
Low HDL “good” cholesterol
High concentration lipoproteins (HDL) absorb cholesterol and take it back to the liver for disposal. A normal, healthy HDL level is over 60 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol rises with exercising. We need daily exercise to enhance our HDL and minimize our risk of heart disease.
High blood pressure
Blood pressure is read as two numbers. The higher number, called the systolic pressure, stands for the pressure in the arteries when your heart beats . The smaller number, called the diastolic pressure, is the pressure when the heart is at rest.
A regular systolic number is 115. If your arteries are stiff, inflexible, inflamed or too narrow, your heart has to work harder and this will produce a higher systolic measure.
A normal diastolic reading is 75 or under. When the diastolic number is too high it can suggest that your lungs, kidneys and liver are not properly detoxifying your body.
High blood pressure, along with high cholesterol numbers and low HDL levels should be considered as warning indicators from our body. Elevated homocysteine is a more serious sign and excessive C-Reactive protein levels should never be ignored .
In addition to exercise, products like Dr Keller’s Original Glutathione Formula with support the heart by supporting our glutathione production, ProArgi 9 Plus which acts as a Nitric Oxide Precursors and Herbal supplements like RGardens Heart Blend will all help you support your good health.