The Complexity of the Heart: Tips for a Healthy Heart

We know that the heart is responsible for pumping blood to the entire circulatory system so that organs, tissues, and cells receive nutrients and oxygen and waste, such as carbon dioxide, is eliminated. In addition, the heart has its own built-in electrical system, called the conduction system that sends electrical signals throughout the heart that determine the timing of the heartbeat and cause the heart to beat in a coordinated, rhythmic pattern – in other worlds the heart has its own built-in pace-maker.

The brain and the heart are both electrical organs, and the heart has a much bigger electrical field than the brain. This electrical component is why diagnostic tests list electrocardiograms or electroencephalograms are able to measure the rhythm of the organ’s activities.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the term used to include all the diseases of the heart and circulation, including coronary heart disease (CHD), angina, heart attack, congenital heart disease, and stroke.

When it comes to underlying physical conditions, most people understand the risks associated with heart disease including: increasing age, smoking, alcohol, stress, hypertension, abnormal lipids, metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Less recognized causes include emotional stress and inflammation and undiagnosed thyroid disease.

Here I will add one very important cause of CVD that is less recognized as a possible contributor to heart disease: Electromagnetic Frequencies (EMF)

EMF and Heart disease

Wireless technologies are not part of our everyday lives 24/7. Due to the fact that the heart is an electrical organ studies are now showing that EMF exposure can result in complex disruptions in the cardiac integrity which may be associated with higher risk of cardiovascular complications or disease in otherwise healthy individuals. These frequencies can also interfere with and modulate a cardia pacemaker. Long-term studies have also found that EMFs in working or living environments can cause headaches, lack of concentration, excessive irritability, forgetfulness, slow reflexes, eye inflammation and ringing in the ears.

Just a reminder that inflammation is a main underlying condition of most chronic disease, including heart disease through the increase in oxidative stress and formation of free radicals. Many factors cause inflammation of the heart including: emotional stress, bad fats, poor dietary choices, gut-heart-brain connection, alcohol, tobacco, environmental toxins and more. EMF’s cause inflammation via the same pathway: oxidative stress and formation of free radicals which in turn damage cells in the body causing inflammation.

Tips for a Healthy Heart

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency has been identified in 50–75% of heart tissue biopsies in patients with various heart conditions. Many studies show its effectiveness in the treatment of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, angina, congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. It seems to work better when taken with vitamin E. Note: it is particularly important if a person is taking a statin drug, which can reduce the body’s production of CoQ10 by 40%.

Magnesium: Studies have shown that 53% of patients in hospital cardiac units were magnesium deficient. Magnesium deficiency increases inflammation and causes imbalances in sodium and potassium, lead to arrhythmias, and arterial vasospasm.

Hawthorn is effective for hypertension, reducing cholesterol (LDL and triglycerides), and preventing atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Garlic reduces cardiovascular diseases by lowering blood pressure and increasing levels of antioxidant enzymes.

Beet Root can significantly lower blood pressure and decrease inflammation. Both raw beet juice and cooked beets were found to be effective,

Prevent/Treat Inflammation: Boswellia, curcumin, and cayenne are effective for inflammation which is intimately involved in all stages of atherosclerosis, and heart disease.

Nattokinase (NK): Evidence suggests that NK is a unique natural compound that possesses several key cardiovascular beneficial including: Preventing clots, lowering blood pressure, preventing atherosclerosis, and lipid-lowering.

Stress support: Herbs such as Siberian ginseng, ashwagandha, and rhodiola help reduce the negative effects of stress such as increased inflammation. Siberian ginseng has also been found to reduce cardiovascular disease.

Probiotics and Prebiotics help support healthy gut microbiome which is important for a healthy immune system, overall health and a healthy heart.

There are different combination formulas available to support heart health so talk to staff at the Vitamin Shop.

Diet and Exercise

DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet. Both emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and moderate alcohol intake. The Mediterranean diet was ranked as the easiest to follow. In addition to weight loss, the Mediterranean diet has been linked to a reduction in various diseases, including heart disease

Exercise

2018 guidelines: EXERCISE MATTERS – ANY LITTLE THING YOU DO – AND believe it or not, it doesn’t need to be intense.

The most important message on exercise is that the greatest benefits result from changing from no, to even small amounts of physical activity. Even brief bouts of physical exercise are beneficial and there is not a specific time threshold of benefit. Once a person starts moving more, most will automatically build up to 75-150 minutes a week as time goes by.

Supporting the Heart’s Electromagnetic Frequency

Positive emotions such as love generate a harmonious pattern in the heart’s rhythm, leading to coherence and greater emotional regulation. Heart-brain coherence is when the heart, mind and emotions are in energetic alignment – a state that builds resilience.

As the brain is able to be re-trained through neuroplasticity, so can the heart. In the same way, we build mental habits, we can develop new heart habits. Whatever the heart informs the brain, the brain responds accordingly. It takes changing what we have hard-wired in the communication exchange between the heart and the brain, and becoming more aware of what we are feeling.

A Simple Exercise:

Bring to mind something that makes you feel love, joy, or thankfulness. You can also create this in your imagination such as spending time with a child, a pet, nature or whatever brings you joy and peace. Savour the moments in your heart and send these feelings to your brain. Use your own creative energy, such as picturing them as healing light energy and let the energy expand to other areas of your body. Perhaps your cells are now vibrating with the energy of joy. I see my cells dancing!

Happiness and joy are a choice, it depends on where we focus in our hearts and that emotion reaches the brain.

In the world today, where stressors of all kinds are continually increasing, it becomes even more important to be more proactive and take steps to maintain a healthy heart.