Lifestyle Veda for Circulatory System / Heart Health
Circulatory System Overview
The circulatory system is finely tuned to carry oxygen, nutrients, electrolytes, and hormones throughout the body. Heart blockages and other diseases can impact the heart’s output or muscle pump, leading to strokes and other serious conditions.
Common Risk Factors
• Lack of exercise
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Alcohol abuse
• High levels of stress
• Dietary errors
Additionally, a family history of heart disease, hypertension, and other associated metabolic disorders increases the risk of circulatory ailments.
Common Circulatory System Disorders
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Elevated pressure in the arteries can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Atherosclerosis: Plaque deposition in blood vessels, leading to coronary artery blockages.
• Heart Attacks: Occur when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle.
• Heart Failure: A condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively.
• Strokes: Result from a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain, causing irreversible tissue damage.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Plaque formation in the lower extremity vessels, leading to pain and cramping in the legs.
• Cold Hands & Feet (Raynaud’s Disease): A condition where blood flow to the extremities is reduced, often triggered by cold temperatures or stress.
The heart beats approximately 2.5 billion times over an average lifetime, circulating millions of gallons of blood throughout the body. This constant flow delivers oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and essential compounds, while removing metabolic waste products. When the heart stops, critical bodily functions fail, often instantly.
Despite its demanding workload, the heart typically performs well for many years. However, it can be compromised by factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, infections, and genetic predisposition.
One of the key threats to heart health is atherosclerosis, the buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque inside arteries. This plaque can restrict blood flow to the heart (via coronary arteries) and other parts of the body. If a plaque ruptures, it may lead to a heart attack or stroke.
While cardiovascular diseases become more common with age, they are not inevitable. Adopting a healthy lifestyle early in life significantly reduces the risk of heart-related conditions. Lifestyle changes, along with medications, can manage conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol before they cause damage. In cases of heart damage, medications, surgeries, and medical devices offer valuable support.