{"id":34628,"date":"2025-04-20T04:04:25","date_gmt":"2025-04-20T04:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/34628\/"},"modified":"2025-04-20T04:04:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-20T04:04:25","slug":"best-vitamins-for-heart-health-and-the-causes-of-heart-disease-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/34628\/","title":{"rendered":"Best vitamins for heart health – and the causes of heart disease explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ES<\/p>\n

Contrary to popular belief, maintaining a healthy heart involves so much more than simply lowering levels of bad cholesterol in the body.<\/p>\n

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let\u2019s have a little GCSE Science refresher. The human heart is home to four chambers: the left and right atria make up the upper chamber, and the left and right ventricles are part of the lower chamber.<\/p>\n

The right side of the heart (right atrium, right ventricle) works to pump deoxygenated blood returning from the body back to the lungs to be reoxygenated. The left side (left atrium, left ventricle) then pumps that healthy, oxygenated blood back through the body to ensure our vital organs can function.<\/p>\n

The heart is essentially one big pump, powered by an innate electrical impulse known as the sinus node, and beats approximately 100,000 times a day, pumping around five litres of blood around the body. <\/p>\n

So, how does cholesterol come into play, what causes high blood pressure, and why is exercise so important when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart? <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

CardioSecur<\/p>\n

Cholesterol<\/a> is a natural, fatty and wax-like substance which is found in all human body cells. It\u2019s produced by the liver and is also present in many of the foods we eat. However, too much cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. <\/p>\n

Cholesterol is carried through the blood to the cells that need it through proteins. When cholesterol and proteins combine, they\u2019re called lipoproteins. <\/p>\n

High-density lipoproteins (known as HDL, or \u2018good\u2019 cholesterol) help to promote overall health by taking \u2018bad\u2019 cholesterol back to the liver. The liver then breaks down the bad stuff, which is eventually expelled from our bodies. <\/p>\n

Non-high-density lipoproteins, or non-HDL, are what we call ‘bad’ cholesterol. Too much non-HDL leads to a buildup of fatty deposits inside your blood vessels, which puts strain on the heart and increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke. If a blood clot forms in a narrow vessel, it can completely block blood flow to the heart, which causes a heart attack. <\/p>\n

Though triglycerides<\/a> and cholesterol are both lipids which travel through the blood via proteins, Hypertriglyceridemia and Hypercholesterolemia are two different disorders. Both can be alleviated through a healthy diet and exercise, but must be addressed with different medications by healthcare professionals. <\/p>\n

Blood pressure naturally oscillates, but if yours is high even when resting, then it\u2019s a problem. This is because consistently high pressure strains the arteries, which causes them to become stiff or narrow. This makes it easier for fatty material to build up in the arteries. <\/p>\n

\u201cHigh cholesterol and high blood pressure are both common health conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, but they are different in how they impact the body. High blood pressure is when the force (pressure) of blood against artery walls is consistently too high, straining the heart and vessels. High blood pressure can be caused by stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, or genetics. High blood pressure can be checked at home using a blood pressure monitor,\u201d explains Shabir Daya MRPharms, co-founder of Victoria Health<\/a><\/p>\n

High blood pressure combined with high cholesterol puts individuals at an extremely high risk of heart attack or stroke. <\/p>\n

How to prevent the onset of heart conditions <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Cleveland Clinic <\/p>\n

Both high blood pressure and an excess of non-HDL cholesterol can be inherited conditions. However, they are also linked to not getting enough exercise, consuming an unbalanced diet, and consuming large amounts of saturated fats. <\/p>\n

\u201cTo keep your heart and your cardiovascular system healthy, take regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet not laden with sugar or fat with a variety of fruits and vegetables, avoid alcohol and smoking, and last but not least, manage stress effectively,\u201d says Daya. <\/p>\n