Dr. Geni Abraham » Dr. Geni Abraham

Cardiovascular Disease: Definition

A group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. The most common form is the building up of plaque in our blood vessels known as Atherosclerosis. When this build up is large enough, blood flow through those vessels is compromised resulting in heart attack, stroke or compromised blood flow to your extremities

Causes

Family and Ethnic tendencies

Obesity
Smoking
High blood pressure
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Inflammation
Gender – Men over 45yrs and post-menopausal women

Prevention

It is not inevitable that you will have disease because of family history. It can be prevented by Good nutrition, Exercise, and avoidance of toxic substances like tobacco. The beginning of the disease starts in childhood. So it is important that these lifestyle measures are well taught and ingrained in childhood.

Management

Lifestyle

Nutrition : Plant based whole foods diet is Key. Eating a rainbow of colors is important. The less processed your diet the better it is for one’s health. Take time to mindfully eat enjoying food.
Exercise : minimum of 150 minutes/week a combination of stretching, aerobics and strength training is great. Find activities that you enjoy
Sleep hygiene : Lack of sleep leads to elevated blood pressure and blood sugars which are risk factors for vascular disease. Good sleep habits are important.
Stress management : Increased stress leads to elevated cortisol which increases blood pressure, makes you insulin resistant leading to diabetes, increases inflammation in your body and increased cholesterol
Supplements : multivitamins, fish oil/omega 3 fatty acid, vitamin D3, Plant sterols