If you are 30, 40 or older, use these tips to keep your heart healthy.

By Natasha Turner, ND

February is heart month—a great time to take responsibility for your own health and to get educated on what it takes to keep your heart and blood vessels functioning optimally. Many of the risk factors for heart disease are silent and tend to exist years before symptoms develop, making early detection instrumental. Another challenge of heart disease is that the symptoms, when they do develop, are severe or even fatal.

When I see patients with a family history of heart disease I become proactive immediately, no matter how old they are. I have several examples of young, healthy, fit individuals with numerous silent risk factors present. If we had not detected the risks early, cardiovascular disease would have surely occurred! It is cases like this that are the most rewarding as it is true preventative medicine.

In light of this, I thought it may be useful to outline which tests you should request from your MD or ND to assess your own risk of heart disease.

What is cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease is a term that refers to any disease affecting the heart and blood vessels. One type of cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), otherwise known as heart disease, is the number one killer of North American men and women. CAD is a blockage of the vessels that supply the heart with blood. This blockage is called arteriosclerosis, or commonly, hardening of the arteries. In this process, cholesterol and other fats are deposited in the layers of the arteries, narrowing the channel for blood to flow through. This depositing of cholesterol and fat is the body’s natural response to inflammation in the arterial lining, but results in increased health risks as the blood flow becomes reduced over time.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to an area of the heart is completely blocked, causing muscle cells to die. This is related to lack of oxygen resulting from no blood flow. The reduced blood flow may be caused by a blockage or a clot in the artery caused by the buildup of platelets, or by a clot released from another site that has lodged in the artery. Blockage of blood flow to the heart may also be due to a spasm in an artery.

Invisible risk factors–Your reference list of blood tests for a healthy heart
Some risk factors of heart disease are not immediately apparent, including high blood pressure. I recommend you have your blood pressure monitored regularly and that you request the following tests as part of your thorough examination to determine your risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Diabetes or elevated fasting blood sugars
• High cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol; elevated LDL cholesterol (fasting)
• Elevated triglycerides (fasting)
• High iron levels (ferritin)
• Elevated lipoprotein a (Lp (a)) levels
• High uric acid levels
• High fasting blood insulin levels
• High homocysteine levels and, associated with this, low folic acid and vitamin B12 levels
• High C-reactive protein levels

Abnormal test results aren’t necessarily cause for alarm, but they do require preventative measures. Many of these risk factors respond favorably to natural medicines. Be sure to follow up with an ND or MD in your area to begin effectively managing your heart health program.

Preventable risk factors
Heart disease risk factors that are preventable are:

• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• A diet that is high in bad types of fat, sugar and simple carbohydrates (white processed foods)
• Being overweight, particularly increased abdominal fat and an elevated percentage of body fat
• A sedentary lifestyle (not exercising enough)
• Stress, inability to express anger and lack of healthy emotional bonds

The Truestar Plan for Heart Health is aimed at preventing the arterial blockage involved in heart disease. In accordance with the Truestar philosophy of health, I recommend you work to reduce your risk of heart disease by adopting a lifestyle that encompasses a number of healthy habits.

Ultimately, your best protection against heart disease will be adopting positive daily health habits including proper diet, exercise, nutritional supplementing and adequate sleep. See The Truestar Healthy Heart Page for guidance.

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