By the time they reach their 40s, one in two men and one in three women will have developed heart disease. This disorder remains the number one cause of death in the United States, and is comprised of a number of interrelated conditions, including irregular heartbeat, chronic chest pain, arthrosclerosis and heart attack. The primary risk factors for heart disease consist of some factors beyond our control—such as age and family history—but many others that are either lifestyle-related, such as smoking, physical inactivity and stress, or that relate more directly to nutrition. These include high LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol, uncontrolled blood sugar and obesity.
Each year, the American Heart Association, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), compiles the most up-to-date statistics on heart and cardiovascular diseases and publishes it in their Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics update. Despite the extensive body of knowledge accumulated by the medical and scientific communities and distributed to the public, heart disease remains the leading cause of death among both men and women. According to the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2013 Update:
- Approximately 635,000 Americans will have a new coronary event this year, while about 280,000 Americans will have a recurrent coronary event.
- In 2009, coronary heart disease was responsible for approximately one of every six deaths in the U.S.
- About every 34 seconds in the U.S., a coronary event will occur.
- About every 60 seconds in the U.S., someone will die of a coronary event.
While there are a number of medical treatments for heart disease (revascularization for chronic angina, blood pressure medicines, and cholesterol-lowering medicines), making appropriate lifestyle changes is a critical step in preventing heart disease. Lifestyle changes that address the modifiable risk factors include:
- Eating Healthy—Our dietary habits have a major impact on our blood cholesterol levels. According to the CDC, about 33 percent of American adults have high blood levels of LDL-cholesterol. Individuals with high LDL-cholesterol levels are at nearly twice the risk for heart disease than individuals with healthy LDL-cholesterol levels. Foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium increase LDL-cholesterol and thus our risk for heart disease. We can lower our blood levels of LDL cholesterol by reducing our intake of foods rich in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium, while at the same time increasing our consumption of whole grains, soluble fiber, fruits & vegetables, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Exercise—Regular exercise has been reported to both lower triglycerides and raise HDL-cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol. Studies suggest that a minimum of 120 minutes of aerobic exercise is needed weekly to raise HDL-cholesterol. Aim for HDL-cholesterol levels of at least greater than 40 mg/dL, though raising the level to over 60 mg/dL can actually decrease heart disease risk. In addition to cholesterol benefits, exercise helps reduce blood pressure.
- Quit Smoking—If you smoke, your risk of developing coronary heart disease increases 2 – 4 times that of nonsmokers. In addition to its direct effects on heart disease risk, smoking also worsens other heart disease risk factors, compounding the effects of smoking. Fortunately, by quitting smoking one can dramatically reduce their heart disease risk over time.
- Lose Weight—Excess body weight is another major risk factor for coronary heart disease; however, this relationship is complex and not fully understood. It has been reported that excess body weight is not only linked to coronary heart disease, but also to abnormal heart rate and ventricular function. Therefore, obtaining and maintaining a healthy body weight with a body mass index below 25 is an important step to reducing coronary heart disease.
Another way to combat coronary heart disease is to take dietary supplements. Some dietary supplements can be a useful tool, especially when combined with the lifestyle changes discussed above. Some of the best dietary supplements for supporting heart health and thus reducing one’s risk for coronary heart disease include omega-3 fatty acids, red yeast rice, astaxanthin, plant stanols/sterols, and polymethoxyflavones.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids—Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are well known for a number of potential health benefits including heart health. In addition to potential cholesterol-lowering benefits, omega-3 fatty acids have been reported to be associated with a decreased risk for nonfatal heart attacks in women, a reduction in heart disease risk factors, and heart failure – free survival in heart attack patients.
nutraMetrix Heart Health Essential Omega III with Vitamin E is a superior product due to a number of factors. The best fish are used to produce a clean and safe product that is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It also contains 3000mg of fish oil where most other commercial products contain a third of the total fish oil contained in nutraMetrix Heart Health Essential Omega III.
Red Yeast Rice—One recent study reported that daily consumption of red yeast rice for 16 weeks reduced LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol in patients with high cholesterol levels. In a comparison study, red yeast rice lowered LDL-cholesterol by 30 percent while pravastatin lowered LDL-cholesterol by 27percent. It has also been suggested that red yeast rice might help reduce the risk for nonfatal myocardial infarction and total coronary heart disease events.
In traditional Chinese culture, red yeast rice was believed to promote various areas of health. The production of nutraMetrix Red Yeast Rice adheres to only the highest standards of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). This stringent standardization in processing, packaging, testing and quality control ensures quality and reliability.
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Astaxanthin—Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid with antioxidant properties. Research studies have reported that astaxanthin supplementation can lower LDL-cholesterol, raise HDL-cholesterol, and reduce lipid oxidation. Furthermore, astaxanthin supplementation might help reduce blood pressure. Each of these changes can be beneficial for heart health.
While medical treatments are an important part of reducing cholesterols levels and heart disease risk for many people, lifestyle modifications that include exercise, healthy eating and dietary supplementation can be an appropriate and effective first step to reducing heart disease risk for many others. Working closely with your personal health professional to determine which the best approach is for you is an important step to a healthy heart.
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