Cardiovascular Disease

The heart is not the only organ that can fail. But, unlike other organs, the effects of heart failure are immediate and life threatening. The heart is the organ responsible for supplying all the body with blood and nutrients. If this organ fails the situation is critical.

Just like every other organ the heart needs to have blood so it can work properly. It obtains this by its own circulatory system called the coronary arteries. But, when these arteries become blocked blood can no longer flow through to the needed areas and those areas begin to die. This is known as ischemia. This happens to many people. In fact, it is the number one killer in north America. Meaning, statistically, more people will die from this than from anything else.

Two main things lead to heart attack. Arteriosclerosis, which is hardening of the arteries (healthy arteries should be quite flexible), and atherosclerosis, which is plaque building up in the walls of the arteries. These conditions can lead to poor circulation, either through rupture arteries or blocked arteries.

There are several reasons why these conditions occur, and most of them are factors we are able to control but most of us ignore until it is too late. These include things like smoking, lack of exercise, being over weight, uncontrolled blood pressure, poor eating habits, and too much stress. Additional factors include diabetes, genetics, age, and gender. Obviously these ones are not controllable, but still important to be aware of.

Preventing heart disease involves modifying the risk factors so coronary artery disease remains at a minimum, as well as getting regular check-ups to monitor any conditions that may develop. Although most of us know the risk factors, we wait until we've developed the disease before we take it seriously. By then it is often too late or we need to resort to invasive surgical techniques to try and minimize the damage.

Although reversing heart disease is often difficult, there are some that, by using Chelation therapy, believe it is possible if diagnosed early enough.

Be aware of the following warning signs, because the person needs immediate advance medical help. Otherwise, their chance of dying is very high. The warning signs include things like:

• Pain, discomfort, or tightness in the chest, shoulders, upper back
• Persistent weakness and fatigue
• Sweaty, cold, clammy, pale skin
• Weak, rapid, or irregular heart rate

If they have a known history of this it may be angina. Help them take their medication and call an ambulance.