In order for your body to stay alive, each of its cells must have a continuous supply of food and oxygen. At the same time, carbon dioxide and other waste materials produced by the cells must be picked up for removal from the body. The cardiovascular system performs these two functions.

Consisting of the heart, blood, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, the Circulatory System is an incredible network of more than 60,000 miles of blood vessels. The average adult body contains approximately 6 quarts (15 gallons) of blood. Blood is the transport system by which oxygen and nutrients reach the body’s cells, and waste materials are carried away. In addition, blood carries hormones, which control body processes and antibodies, which fight invading germs.

Major indicators that put you at risk of heart disease

Smoking-it reduces oxygen supply to the heart making it harder for the heart to work. Nicotine is a stimulant making the heart beat faster and narrows the blood vessels resulting in higher blood pressure and over time causes clogged arteries, and blood clots.

Obesity-it is now an epidemic in Canada. It contributes to high blood sugar levels which contribute to clogging of your arteries.

Hyper-insulinemia (syndrome X and later type II diabetes)-Telltale signs of syndrome X are abdominal weight, hypertension, blood sugar abnormalities, High triglycerides (fat in your blood) and low HDL (good cholesterol).  These factors when happening in your body increase your chances of having a heart attack greatly.

Inflammation-people with chronic inflammation (allergies, asthma, arthritis, bowel disorder, gum diseases) are at risk of heart disease as part of an inflammatory syndrome. One indicator of inflammation and heart disease is C-reactive protein (CRP). High levels of this makes you 4.5 times more likely to have a heart attack. It can also cause dangerous blood clots.

High blood pressure-about a quarter of North Americans have elevated blood pressure and most have accompanying elevated blood sugar levels, elevated stress, are overweight, lack exercise and are older adults.  This mixture is a recipe for circulatory disaster.

Homo-cysteine levels elevated. – This amino acid is the byproduct of broken down meat proteins. Those who consume high meat diets often have higher homo-cysteine levels. This can both initiate atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and facilitate its progression.

Did you know

• The average blood cell makes a round trip through the body’s arteries and veins every 60 seconds, and can hit speeds of up to 10 mph.
• In one day, your blood travels nearly 12,000 miles.
• Magnesium helps prevent type II diabetes, and heart disease. Magnesium researcher, Dr. Mildred Seelig, M.D., MPH, puts it bluntly: magnesium is the real key to treating metabolic syndrome X and heart disease risk factors.” Experts recommend people receive 500mg of magnesium per day”.
• Previous research has already shown that magnesium helps the heart muscles relax, reduces blood pressure, and helps control homocysteine, and C-reactive protein levels.

Symptoms and conditions associated with poor circulatory health

• High blood pressure-low blood pressure
• Heart arrhythmia/irregular heart rhythm
• Cholesterol problems
• Heart failure-stroke
• Hardening of the arteries-clogged arteries

Maintaining this system requires pure water, regular exercise, stress management, and good nutritional support. Imbalances in the Circulatory System can affect all other system particularly the Nervous, Respiratory and Intestinal Systems.

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