There are three components of the cardiovascular health that all need to be functioning optimally to obtain ideal cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada and it is possible to prevent, treat and even reverse heart disease. The treatment approach needs to be targeted at which component of the cardiovascular system is out of balance and needs support. Heart disease includes high blood pressure, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, strokes and heart attacks.
The 3 components of cardiovascular health include:
1) Vascular system: This is the tubing of the cardiovascular system that needs to be flexible, have elasticity and be able to easily expand and contract. Fatty deposits can build up on the inside of the arteries, and this can contribute to arterial stiffening and thickening, which are greatest indicators of cardiovascular disease.
2) Blood Viscosity: This is the fluid that goes through the cardiovascular system. If it is too thick then it is more challenging to move throughout the body and supply oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in the body and remove toxins and carbon dioxide from cells. The viscosity of the blood should be very fluid.
3) Nervous system: This is the electrical system that the cardiovascular system runs on. The electrical impulses are controlled by the unconscious part of the brain. This system needs to be firing efficiently without interference to appropriately power the cardiovascular system.
In our clinic, we do testing to identify which component of the cardiovascular system is weakened or not functioning properly and target our treatments and therapies at improving the specific components of the cardiovascular system that are out of balance in an individual.
