This Heart Health Month, Experts Warn About a ‘Silent Killer’

If you’re holding steady on your resolution to improve your health, February’s month of heart health awareness will help keep you going.

American Heart Month was created to shed light on CVD, a group of cardiovascular complications and the #1 killer of Americans. In observance, this is the time to take stock of all the things that make your heart tick, the issues you face as you age, and what you can do to intervene before early signs become chronic.

And what you do next is most important of all: turning goals into action.

This is the perfect time to check your lipid levels – LDL cholesterol (‘bad’), HDL cholesterol (‘good’), and triglycerides – the fatty substances that support cell membranes, produce energy, and increase vitamin absorption when they’re in healthy balance.

Checking food labels for unhealthy fats and high sodium, and consuming more foods that don’t have labels at all, such as fruits and vegetables, are solid steps, too. And if your weeks are low on cardio exercise, the time is now to add more activities that strengthen your heart.

While American Heart Month is about proactively reducing the risk of experiencing a catastrophic cardiovascular event, unfortunately, many people ignore risk factors along the way, especially blood pressure imbalance. Instead of doing something about it, they let it go for too long.

In fact, health experts are sounding the alarm about a silent threat that is not only silent but altogether ignored.

More than 77% of Americans with blood pressure problems don’t have it under control.

Blood pressure imbalance is underrecognized.

When nearly half of the American population has worrisome blood pressure levels at or above 130/80 mmHg, and more than three-quarters of them have trouble managing it, it’s time to take notice.

These are two startling revelations from the Million Hearts initiative, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

And women, whose blood vessels age faster than men’s, are at even greater risk, according to a Smidt Heart Institute study. The structure and size of vascular tissue in a woman is different, increasing the chances of heart health issues starting earlier in life.

Blood pressure imbalance is the first warning sign

Arterial health and cholesterol may get the most attention, but vascular function is perhaps the most important heart health marker to watch.

Blood pressure is a critical indicator of cardiovascular risk. Elevated levels are an early signal that all is not well with your cardiovascular system. Your heart and circulatory system work together to purify, pump, and circulate nutrient-rich blood to every corner of your body.

Vascular tissue loses flexibility and function as a result of multiple factors: *

• Aging
• Being overweight
• Lack of exercise
• High salt intake
• Poor food choices
• Unmanaged stress
• Family history
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Smoking (including vaping)
• Substance abuse

A reading of 120/80 is considered normal. The top number (systolic pressure) measures the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls when your heart pumps, and the bottom number (diastolic pressure) measures the amount of force between heartbeats.

Anything above these numbers is considered elevated, indicating that your heart has to work harder to circulate blood. And a blood pressure reading that’s at or above 130/80 mmHg over an extended period of time is considered harmful.

Improve blood pressure management

The most important step you can take to take control of your blood pressure is not to ignore it. If your blood pressure reading has reached worrisome levels, start to make small daily changes to your lifestyle:

• Reduce salt consumption
• Increase fiber intake from natural food sources
• Reduce portions of animal-based fats
• Monitor serving sizes of food and beverages
• Add aerobic activity to your week
• Get your stress levels under control
• Increase sleep quality and quantity
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol

The power of cardio-boosting antioxidants

Antioxidants deserve a special place in your heart and daily routine. They are powerful compounds found in plants and a few high-quality animal-based food sources. Plants produce these chemicals to protect their cellular structures against harmful threats.

Every cell in your body needs antioxidants. These oxidation-fighters are so vital for repairing tissue damage due to free radicals, inflammation, and normal aging that all animal cells produce them in the form of glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid.

There are thousands of types of plant-based antioxidants, or phytochemicals, including polyphenols and flavonoids, many of which give fruit, vegetables, flowers, and herbs their distinct colors. They also contribute to their ability to fight oxidative stress and inflammation, which are known to be the root causes of many chronic health conditions.

To brighten up your heart health, add some color to every meal. Lightly steamed veggies, chopped herbs, and a side of fruit are surprisingly simple ways to increase consumption of antioxidants.

Antioxidants help blood vessels maintain pliability and suppleness and help trap reactive oxygen species (ROS), an especially harmful type of free radical. *

Antioxidant-rich support for blood sugar balance

Taking a high-quality daily antioxidant supplement can help fill the gaps during busy times when your diet is not on point.

Our expert formulators created a heart-healthy supplement that is not only packed with polyphenols, it’s specially formulated to promote healthy blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Balance delivers clinical levels of two patented forms of plant extracts with superior levels of antioxidants. (Find out how to get a free bottle below.)

Pomanox® pomegranate extract offers one of the most potent sources of antioxidants shown to support systolic blood pressure, help fight oxidative stress, and promote overall cardiovascular function. *

MegaNatural® BP supports healthy blood pressure with concentrated polyphenols from grapes from E & J Gallo Winery. This dark wine-quality grape seed extract provides copious amounts of compounds to promote healthy vascular tissue.

Plus, the formula includes magnesium to support a healthy heart rate.

Making heart-healthy choices every day can help boost your healthspan. Taking small steps every day can reduce your risk of premature cardiovascular issues and make a big difference in your future cardiovascular health.

Observe American Heart Month in the best way possible – by taking control of your heart health. All February long, get a FREE 30-day supply of Blood Pressure Balance when you spend $49 – but only while supplies last! Shop now at bodykitchen.com