Cardiovascular

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis - is a condition  that occurs when the arteries become blocked. This is  generally due to the  buildup of fat, cholesterol, cellular waste products,
calcium, and other  substances in the lining of the artery. The buildup (or "plaque")  can eventually interfere with blood flow and possibly cause a heart attack or  stroke.  Atherosclerosis  often shows no  symptoms until an artery becomes obstructed and blood flow complications  occur. At this time, the individual may experience pain in the chest or leg -  depending on the location of the affected artery.
Risk Factors:
·   Male gender 
·   Advanced age 
·   Smoking 
·   Diabetes 
·   Obesity 
·   Sedentary lifestyle 
·   Hypertension (i.e., high blood pressure) 
·   High cholesterol 
·   Hyperhomocysteinemia (i.e., a condition caused by elevated blood  levels of the amino acid homocysteine) 
·   Hormonal changes following menopause 
·   Infection or inflammation 
·   A high-fat diet 
·   Family history of atherosclerosis or heart disease 
·   Stress 
·   Depression  
Healthcare practitioners consider  healthy lifestyle adjustments the most important step in preventing and  reducing the risk factors of atherosclerosis. These include -  but are not  limited to - maintaining a healthy body composition (muscle-to-fat ratio), lowering  blood pressure and cholesterol levels, exercising regularly, quitting  smoking, and reducing stress. Other functional medicine approaches, such as  nutritional and herbal supplementation, have also been shown to be useful. 

Hypercholesterolemia 
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy  substance that is present in virtually all parts of the body including the  nervous system, skin, musle, liver, intestines, and heart. while cholesterol  is essential for normal functioning, high levels of cholesterol in the blood  (i.e., hypercholesterolemia) can greatly increase one's risk of 
cardiovascular disease.  Cholesterol can be divided into  two main types: low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins  (HDL). LDL is generally considered the "bad" cholesterol, while HDL  is considered the "good" cholesterol. Hypercholesterolemia results from 1) high levels of LDL cholesterol, 2) low levels of HDL cholesterol, and/or 3) a low ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol. The normal range for cholesterol is between 140 and 200 mg per deciliter (mg per dL) of blood. Levels between 200 and 240 mg per dL indicate moderate risk, while levels  above 240 mg per dL indicate high risk. In addition to genetic  predisposition, researchers have discovered that hypercholesterolemia is associated  with several risk factors, including: 
Disease Risk Factors:  
·   Diabetes 
·   Hypothyroidism 
·   Cushing's syndrome 
·   Renal (i.e., kidney) failure 
·   Polycystic ovary syndrome  
Drug Risk Factors:  
·   Birth control pills 
·   Hormone replacement therapy 
·   Corticosteroids 
·   Diuretics 
·   Beta-blockers  
Lifestyle Risk Factors:  
·   Obesity 
·   A diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol 
·   A diet low in fiber 
·   A sedentary lifestyle 
·   Excessive alcohol consumption
·   Stress 
·   Smoking cigarettes  
While conventional drugs (i.e.,  statin drugs) are sometimes necessary and important for those diagnosed with  hypercholesterolemia, they often fall short in
reducing risk factors  associated with cardiovascular disease. A great deal of examination conducted  over the last few decades has identified select nutrients
and herbs, as well  as other functional medicine approaches that have a profound positive effect  on cholesterol levels. 

Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious condition that affects about one in three American adults, and two-thirds of people over age 65. Blood pressure is the force of blood as it pumps through your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries are, the higher the blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is defined as an average systolic blood pressure of 120 mm Hg and an average diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg. Systolic pressure measures the pressure in arteries when your heart beats. Diastolic pressure measures the pressure between beats. Hypertension is defined as an average systolic blood pressure above 140 mm Hg, a diastolic blood pressure above 90 mm Hg, or both.  High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death among Americans. It is called the "silent killer" because you usually don't have any symptoms when your  blood pressure is too high. Hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity are the biggest contributors to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It is important to talk to your doctor about how to lower your high blood pressure. In some cases, making changes in diet and exercise habits can get blood pressure under control. In other cases, you may need medications. Most people who have high blood pressure do not know they have it because they have  no symptoms. Occasionally, some people may have a mild headache when their blood pressure is high.
Advanced cases of hypertension may produce the following  symptoms:  Severe  headache, Confusion
Nausea
Visual disturbances 

There  are two major types of hypertension: essential (primary) and secondary. Primary hypertension is by far the most common, making up more than 95% of all cases. Scientists don't know what causes primary hypertension, but a combination of factors may be involved, including:

• Genes for high blood pressure
• Low levels of nitric oxide, a naturally occurring substance that makes blood vessels dilate
• Insulin resistance
• Obesity

Secondary hypertension has an underlying cause, which may include:
Risk Factors
The following factors increase an individual's risk for high blood pressure

• Being overweight
• Not getting enough exercise

            

• Being  African-American


• Abusing
  alcohol or smoking


• High
  sodium (salt) intake


• Stress
  


• Chronic
  conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or     high
  cholesterol