Heart, Blood, Circulation

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in every cell in the body, and plays an important role in a variety of vital functions, including building and maintaining cell membranes, hormone synthesis, and the manufacturing of Vitamin D.

Blood clots consist of blood cells and fibrin strands that form to stop the flow of
blood after an injury. Blood clots are vital for wound healing. If blood was not able to clot, death would occur from excessive bleeding from a simple cut.
However, in certain conditions, the inappropriate formation of blood clots in vessels or organs of the body can occur, leading to a potentially extremely dangerous situation. When blood clots form within arteries and veins, they
obstruct the flow of blood, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Blood clots
formed after surgery or due to a traumatic injury may also be life-threatening.

Blood pressure is the force that the blood exerts on the veins and arteries while it circulates through the body. We express the measurement of blood pressure as a ratio, such as 120/80 mmHg. The first number is the pressure
exerted when blood is pumped into the arteries as the heart muscle contracts
(systolic pressure). The second number is the pressure exerted on the arteries while the heart muscle relaxes (diastolic pressure).

While the body has ingenious ways of purifying the blood, it sometimes helps to
give these systems a little helping hand. The liver, kidneys and lymphatic system
work tirelessly to cleanse the blood of unwanted toxins and impurities.
However, sometimes the work load is just too much and these toxins begin to build up in our muscle tissue and blood.

We cannot live without our blood circulating throughout our body. The heart acts as a pump, keeping our blood flowing to our lungs to get oxygenated,
and then carrying it to our organs, then carrying de-oxygenated blood from our
organs back to the lungs to get oxygenated again. When circulation is
compromised, oxygen does not reach all of the organs and areas it needs to, and
our system can falter.

A variety of conditions can be brought on by poor circulation such as high blood pressure, hypertension, stroke, varicose veins, peripheral artery disease, heart disease, kidney damage, aneurysms, arteriosclerosis, Raynaud’s disease and phlebitis.

Arteriosclerosis is one of the most common diseases of the arteries. This disease occurs when plaque (which is made up of cholesterol, fibrin, platelets and other substances) forms on the walls of the arteries and obstructs the normal flow and circulation of blood. The arteries become narrowed and the walls lose their elasticity, causing blood flow to be reduced.

Arrhythmias are fairly common. Most people have had at least one experience where it feels as if the heart has skipped a beat, or has given an unexpected flutter. For many, the experience is usually not cause for concern. However, while many arrhythmias are harmless, some can be extremely dangerous and require medical treatment.

The term ‘blood thinners’ refers to a group of allopathic medications known as anticoagulants. They are used to prevent the cells in the blood from clotting too readily and forming blood clots within the vessels. Although they are referred to as blood thinners, they do not actually thin the blood. They work by decreasing the blood’s ability to clot so that blood vessels remain unblocked.

Angina pectoris is the medical term for chest pain or the feeling of pressure in the chest that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive sufficient blood and oxygen supply. When the arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the heart are blocked, the blood flow to the heart muscle is obstructed and chest pain results.

A stroke or cardiovascular accident is a type of cardiovascular condition that affects the blood vessels in charge of supplying blood to the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel, which carries vital oxygen and nutrients to the brain, is either blocked by a clot or ruptures.