The heart is the organ that works the hardest in the human body. It works all day and all night throughout 24 hours literally for a life time without taking a break. Every day, the heart beats about 100,000 times and pumps approximately as much as 2,000 gallons or 7570 liters of blood. Even with its hard work, some people still do not look after their wellbeing. Hence, the reason why many people succumb to cardiovascular or heart diseases. In Thailand, heart disease is the leading cause of death second only to cancer.

Risks of heart disease

There are several risk factors that are commonly related to heart disease. Some of these factors are mentioned below:

1. Dyslipidemia

2. Obesity 

3. Diabetes

4. High blood pressure

5. Smoking

6. Lack of exercise

7. Poor diet

8. Stress

9. Drinking alcohol

     Dyslipidemia, does not only come from poor choice of diet but in fact, the main cause is genetic abnormality. Some people although cautious about what they eat, still suffers from dyslipidemia. As we know, there are both good and bad fat. Therefore, blood test is needed to distinguish the two. Lipid-lowering drugs, may not always be the solution. 

     Lipid-lowering drugs can destroy the liver, affect the muscles, and suppress the function of Coenzyme Q10, which in turn can affect heart rate and the function of cells in the body. The best recommended options are exercising and eating healthy vegetables and fruits. According to American Heart Association (AHA), you should eat fruits, vegetables and grains 5 meals daily. Nutritional option such as niacin, lecithin, tocotrienol, citrinol, fiber, garlic, and green tea can assist in reducing bad fats without any possible side effects as compared to lipid-lowering drugs. 

     Losing belly fats is a major problem for most people, especially after 40 years old. At present, we know that excess fats is not only the fats that we can see externally. It is alive and produces harmful reaction to the body. It is a molecule that causes inflammation, which can compromise one’s lifespan and causes health issues like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, paralysis, sleep apnea, cancer and other degenerative diseases. Therefore, it is important to keep a healthy weigh.

     Smoking and drinking alcohol are silent killers that we often overlooked. Both smoking and alcohol causes free radicals that destroy the blood vessels. They cause inflammation and ischemic blood vessels. Quitting cold turkey may be the best way for some. In the past years, there were thousands of patients who underwent chelation therapy thinking that alone can help. But as we now know, the best way in looking after one’s health is with a holistic approach which includes a total change in lifestyle.

Symptoms 

     The most common heart diseases are coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. The symptoms are chest pains. The pain that originates from the chest due to chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, palpitations and fatigue especially during activities. Some may experience heartburn around the chest, which radiates to the arms, throat and jaw. While others might feel extreme fatigue with profuse sweating, feeling faint and even sudden loss of consciousness.

Preventive and Integrative Treatments

     If you have a heart disease or a risk of having heart disease, you might think that seeing a doctor to have a thorough check and medicine might be a good idea. You are only partially right. To fight this disease, patient must have self-determination rather than just relying on medicine. Having said that, it does not mean that medicine is not necessary. 

     If you have secondary factors, especially diabetes and high blood pressure, medicine is needed to control these diseases. Studies have shown that the main cause of myocardial ischemia comes from inflammation in the blood vessels in 70% of the cases. 22% of the cases are caused by stenosis from thick artery walls obstructing the blood flow. 

     Therefore, reducing inflammation in the blood vessels is the key to the success in integrative treatment approach. Some tips to the integrative approach are as follows:

• Exercising 

• Changing food habits 

• Quitting smoking and alcohol 

• Increase anti-oxidants

• Reducing heavy metals in the blood and blood vessels with chelation

Other important factors one should take note of are, reducing stress, taking breaks, being optimistic, practicing meditation, forgiveness, emotional balance, spreading love and kindness. Therefore, it is important to take good care of your heart from all aspects. That way, you will have a holistic journey to an optimal health.