Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in civilized nations and you, like many people, may be concerned about keeping your heart healthy. Unfortunately, much of what people believe about preventing heart disease is out-of-date information.

For instance, the idea that avoiding cholesterol and animal fats will reduce your risk of heart disease simply isn’t true. Cholesterol and animal fats are not the cause of heart disease. Cholesterol only sticks to your arteries when it becomes oxidized from free radical damage and eating animal fats is not the cause of high cholesterol.

The truth is that processed vegetable oils, not animal fats, are what increase your risk of hardening of the arteries. Furthermore, a high sugar diet and the high levels of insulin it produces are one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease, far more problematic than fats.

More recent research shows that heart disease, like most degenerative diseases, is primarily caused by chronic inflammation and free radical damage to the lining of the arteries. This also causes the oxidation of cholesterol that leads to arterial plaque. Furthermore, there’s no magic pill you can take to prevent this. Supplements and herbs may help, but the prevention of heart disease also requires adopting diet and lifestyle changes.

So, in this issue of Sunshine Sharing, we’ll update your knowledge about how to keep your heart and cardiovascular system healthy. Specifically, we’ll cover seven things you can do to prevent or overcome common heart problems.

Evaluating Your Risk of Heart Disease

Although a heart attack or stroke happens suddenly, there are important signs you should pay attention to that indicate the development of cardiovascular disease. If you have any of these indications, start adopting the changes suggested in this newsletter immediately.

Gum Disease. There is a high correlation between inflammation of the gums and inflammation of the arteries. If your gums are inflamed, you’re at high risk for heart disease.

Varicose Veins and Hemorrhoids. These problems are reflections of sluggish circulation and poor blood vessel tone, which are also indications cardiovascular disease is developing.

Fatigue and Shortness of Breath. Feeling no desire for physical activity, getting winded with minor exertion, and feelings of pressure or pain in your chest are early warning signs that your heart may be struggling and need some help.

Facial Clues. A red, bulbous tip on the nose, spider veins in the nose, and a vertical crease in the left earlobe are all early warning signs that your heart may need help. A bright-red tip and pointed tongue is also an indicator of heart stress and possible cardiac inflammation.

Blood Tests. Blood tests for fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen can provide valuable insight into the health of your heart and cardiovascular system. If you’re concerned about your heart and circulation consider talking to your doctor about taking them.

High levels of hemoglobin A1C and fasting blood glucose are signs you have metabolic syndrome or diabetes. This means your system is more inflamed, putting you at higher risk for heart disease. It will also make it harder to manage your weight.

High levels of homocysteine and C-reactive protein are markers for high levels of inflammation, which again increases your risk for the development of arterial plaque. High levels of fibrinogen indicate a risk for the formation of blood clots.

Strategies for Health by Steven Horne