The Ultimate Guide to Heart Health

The Ultimate Guide to Heart Health (and Supplements That Actually Help)

A variety of heart-healthy food options such as whole grains, leafy greens, and salmon

When it comes to overall wellness, your heart plays a central role. Unfortunately, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Understanding common heart-related conditions, their causes, and potential solutions is the key to maintaining a healthy and vibrant life.

What You Didn't Know About Heart Health

Your heart works tirelessly to keep you going, but it faces daily challenges that often go unnoticed. From unexpected environmental factors to hidden risks in everyday habits, understanding these threats is the first step to better heart care.

doctor listening to a patient's heart with a stethoscope

High Blood Sugar

Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and heart failure due to its damaging effects on blood vessels.

Dental Hygiene

Poor oral care allows harmful bacteria to enter your bloodstream, causing inflammation in blood vessels and increasing the risk of heart disease.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Sitting too much, even if you exercise regularly, raises the risk of heart disease. If you have a job that requires a lot of sitting (or love to be a couch potato), make sure to get up and get some steps in at least once an hour.

Noise Pollution

Living in a noisy area can actually cause an increased risk of heart attack. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds raises stress levels, potentially leading to heart complications over time.

Fatty Foods

Overindulging in high-fat (specifically saturated and trans fats) foods can clog your arteries, leading to cardiovascular complications. Natural, healthy foods are the best for your body and provide critical vitamins and nutrients you need to thrive.

Common Heart Conditions

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

CAD occurs when arteries become clogged with fatty deposits (plaque), limiting blood flow to the heart.
  • Causes: High cholesterol, high blood pressure, poor diet, and smoking.
  • Solutions: Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in leafy greens, fatty fish, and fiber.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Patient having their blood pressure measured in a doctor's office
Often called the "silent killer," hypertension forces the heart to work harder, increasing the risk of heart disease.
  • Causes: Poor diet, stress, lack of exercise, and genetics.
  • Solutions: Reduce salt intake, focus on healthy eating, exercise regularly, and consider supplements like beet fluid to support healthy blood pressure.

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart can't pump blood effectively, leading to fatigue and shortness of breath.
  • Causes: CAD, high blood pressure, or damage from a heart attack.
  • Solutions: Managing risk factors and taking dietary supplements like creatine to support energy production in heart muscles.

Arrhythmia

This condition involves irregular heartbeats that can feel like a fluttering or pounding in your chest.
  • Causes: Stress, caffeine, and underlying heart issues.
  • Solutions: Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to regulate heart rhythm and reduce inflammation.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

PAD occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, often causing pain and discomfort in the legs during walking or exercise.
  • Causes: Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
  • Solutions: Quitting smoking, regular physical activity, and eating a diet with lots of whole grains, leafy greens, and fatty fish.

Foods That Support a Healthy Heart

A variety of heart-healthy food options including fresh fruits and vegetables, and salmon

Medications that are supposed to help with heart issues, like statin drugs or beta blockers, often come with unwanted and uncomfortable side effects. Plus, they're adding unnatural chemicals to your body.

Thankfully, whole foods have a profound impact on heart health — and are all natural. Fill your diet with superstar foods that can help your heart get its pump on.

Fatty Fish

Salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and lower triglycerides. These fish are also excellent sources of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which supports energy production in heart cells. Additionally, their vitamin D content helps regulate blood pressure and reduce arterial inflammation.

Leafy Greens

Spinach and kale contain nitrates that relax blood vessels, improving blood flow. These greens are also high in calcium, which supports healthy heart rhythms and strengthens blood vessel walls.

Avocados

Packed with monounsaturated fats, potassium, and magnesium, avocados help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of plaque buildup in arteries. Their fiber content also contributes to overall cardiovascular health by promoting healthy blood pressure levels.

Dark Chocolate

Rich in antioxidants, moderate consumption of dark chocolate can improve blood flow and lower your risk of heart disease or stroke.

Garlic

Allicin in garlic has powerful cholesterol-lowering effects. It also helps relax blood vessels, reducing high blood pressure and promoting efficient circulation.

Berries

Loaded with soluble fiber, polyphenols, and vitamin C, berries reduce inflammation and prevent arterial damage.

Tomatoes

High in potassium and lycopene, tomatoes help lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Lycopene's antioxidant properties also reduce the risk of plaque buildup in arteries.

Oranges

Packed with potassium and fiber, oranges help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Their high vitamin C content further supports vascular health and reduces inflammation.

Potatoes

Rich in potassium and fiber, potatoes help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Their vitamin B6 content supports healthy blood vessel function and prevents arterial blockages.

Oatmeal

A bowl of oatmeal provides soluble fiber that helps lower "bad" LDL cholesterol. Its complex carbohydrates stabilize blood sugar, reducing strain on blood vessels and the heart.

Olive Oil

Loaded with monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, olive oil protects blood vessels from damage. Regular use can reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Whole Grains

Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and whole wheat contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals that improve heart health. They help regulate cholesterol levels, stabilize blood sugar, and reduce inflammation.

The Heart Health Benefits of Lipase

The enzyme "lipoprotein lipase" helps the heart by breaking down triglycerides in the bloodstream, making fatty acids available for the heart muscles to use as energy — and potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular issues. In other words, lipase facilitates the delivery of necessary fats to the heart while managing overall lipid levels in the blood.

Triglyceride Breakdown

The primary function of lipase is to break down triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood, into smaller fatty acids that can be utilized by the heart muscle for energy.

Cardiomyocyte Function

Cardiac muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) express lipoprotein lipase, allowing them to directly access fatty acids from the bloodstream for energy production.

Reduced Cardiovascular Risk

Maintaining optimal lipase activity can help lower high triglyceride levels, which is considered a risk factor for heart disease.

Increase Your Lipase

Low lipase activity can lead to impaired fat absorption and potentially elevated triglyceride levels, increasing the risk of heart problems. Our TyLean product utilizes lipase, along with glucomannan and citrus aurantium, to break down fats, support a healthy metabolism, and support a healthy balance of blood sugars.

Beets: A Superstar for the Heart

close up image of sliced beets

Beets are good for your heart thanks to their high levels of nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax and widen blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow, reducing the risk of heart disease. To add to their superstar status, beets are a good source of fiber and antioxidants to further contribute to heart health.

Blood Pressure Reduction

According to the American Heart Association, research shows that consuming beets can significantly lower blood pressure levels, especially systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart contracts).

Antioxidants

Beets also contain betalains, a group of pigments with antioxidant properties that may help combat inflammation and prevent cell damage.

Fiber Content

Beets provide the body with dietary fiber, which can help manage cholesterol levels and promote overall cardiovascular health.

Hate Eating Beets?

Don't miss out on the benefits of beets just because you don't like the taste. Our Whole Beet Root Plant Extract gives you all the benefits in a water-soluble dropper. Our extraction process retains all essential nutrients typically lost in other production methods, so you can get all the benefits from the real thing — in just two drops a day.

Crucial Fatty Acids

Fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, are important for heart health because they can lower triglycerides, reduce inflammation in the body, lower blood pressure, and slow down plaque buildup in arteries, which are all associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Omega-3s

Among different types of fatty acids, omega-3s are considered most beneficial for heart health due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Lowering Triglycerides

Omega-3s can significantly reduce levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood that can contribute to heart disease.

Plaque Reduction

By lowering inflammation, omega-3s may help slow down the accumulation of plaque in arteries, which can lead to blockages and heart attacks.

Arrhythmia Prevention

Some studies suggest that omega-3s might help regulate heart rhythm, reducing the risk of irregular heartbeats.

Saturated Fats vs. Unsaturated Fats

While some fatty acids are beneficial for heart health (like omega-3s), saturated fats are generally considered unhealthy as they can raise LDL cholesterol levels (often called "bad" cholesterol) and increase the risk of heart disease.

Remember, Your Heart Is a Muscle

A recent study shows promising results suggesting that creatine can be beneficial for individuals with heart failure by replenishing energy stores within the heart muscle. Because more research is needed to fully understand creatine's impact on a healthy heart, consult with your healthcare professional before taking creatine supplements, especially if you have any existing heart conditions.

Great Source of Energy

Creatine plays a key role in the heart's energy metabolism by providing readily available energy in the form of phosphocreatine, which is crucial for muscle contractions.

Improving Heart Failure

Studies suggest that creatine supplementation might be beneficial for individuals with heart failure by improving muscle strength and exercise capacity thanks to increased creatine stores within the heart muscle.

Adenosine Triphosphate

When the heart is under stress, like during exercise, it can utilize creatine to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency of cells.

Creatine Supplements

While creatine is safe for most healthy individuals, research on its specific benefits for a healthy heart is still emerging, with further studies needed. If you're ready to try creatine, our Creatine+ Gummies help you perform at your peak.

Tips for a Healthy Heart

Now that you know common cardiovascular conditions and the foods and dietary supplements that can help, let's take a look at healthy lifestyle changes to give your heart the attention it deserves.

Sean and Tylene staying active by riding bikes outdoors

Stay Active

Incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Avoid sitting for too long. Get up and walk around or move your body at least once every hour. Keeping your body moving prevents blood clots that affect your health beyond just your heart.

Manage Stress

Keeping stress levels down is the best way to help your heart — easier said than done! Practice mindfulness, yoga, and deep breathing exercises to keep yourself calm.

Prioritize Sleep

Poor sleep increases stress and raises blood pressure. There's nothing more important than a good night's sleep for your body to rest and recharge.

Limit Alcohol

Excessive drinking weakens the heart muscle over time. Reducing the amount of alcohol you consume can have great benefits for your heart health.

Quit Smoking

Pile of cigarette butts with 'no smoking' sign
While one of the hardest things to do, quitting smoking is also one of the best things you can do for your heart and overall health.

Heart Health Supplements

Heart health is close to our heart! We offer a variety of supplements designed to help improve cardiovascular health.

Keep Your Heart Healthy

Maintaining heart health requires a multi-faceted approach, including a nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, and targeted supplementation. By understanding the factors that contribute to heart disease and incorporating heart-friendly foods and supplements like Lipase, beets, and omega-3 fish oils into your routine, you can significantly reduce your risk of cardiovascular issues. For cardiovascular health and overall wellness, shop Culture For Good products.