Heart & Circulatory Diseases

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, affecting 17.9 million lives annually.  CVD is a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions.  

4 out of 5 CVD deaths are related to heart attacks and strokes.  
1/3 of these deaths occur prematurely in people less than 70 years old.  

People who are at risk of CVD may have raised blood pressure, glucose, lipids, and also overweight and obesity concerns.  These health conditions are preventable if identified and treated early.  

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In traditional societies, heart attacks, strokes and even rising blood pressure with age are considered unheard in their communities.  Heart disease is the first major degenerative disease that has been associated by medical and scientific research in modern societies and the modern way of life, especially the modern way of eating.

Learn CVD risk factors to aid prevention and early interventions

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This is beneficial and important to prevent against heart diseases like heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and related illness, artery diseases, or other circulatory disorder.  
We should be conscious of the risk factors and early signs and symptoms of CVD.   Adults above 40 years old, should have health screenings done annually.

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We can lower our risks for heart disease by understanding and managing these factors:

Modifiable risk factors 
These are things that can be changed, such as, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking and emotional stress.  

Non-modifiable risk factors 
These are things that cannot be changed or only to a slight degree, due to genetic inheritance, gender, age and the presence of other diseases.   

Signs of developing heart and circulatory problems usually occur before symptoms appear.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories, these are signs that are often evaluated:

1) A swollen, puffy, reddish colour face

 
This may indicates an overworked heart and circulatory system.  The heart muscle could be expanded and weakened from stress and excessive intakes of yin foods and beverages.  
Reddish facial colour may turn purple which shows a very overworked heart muscle and risk developing low blood pressure.  A pale facial colour may indicate tightened heart muscles from excessive intakes of yang foods like animal food and excess salt and oil.

2) Abnormalities on the nose show underlying heart conditions. 

A swollen nose may show the possibility of a swollen heart with diminished ability to provide oxygen to cells and tissues.  
Excessive intake of strong yin, like sugar, sweets, and beverages; excessive intakes of fruit and juices; and alcohol or drugs, may cause this condition.  This may also be a sign of developing congestive heart failure.

3) A hardened tip on the nose 
This may indicate a build-up of animal fats and cholesterol in the coronary arteries and the accumulation of fat around the heart and other vital organs. 
Excessive intake of meat, poultry, cheese, and dairy, margarine, dressings, and other oil, greasy foods.  A purple nose with a hardened tip could be a warning sign of an approaching heart attack or stroke.  A cleft in the nose may reveal the presence of heart murmur.

4) Tightness, tension, hardening, stiffness, or flabbiness along at the inner sides of both arms

The heart meridian is found along the inside of each arm to the inside of the little finger.  Discomforts and pains experience along this meridian may indicate possible heart and circulatory problems. 
Massaging the inside of the little finger and the meridian along the inside of the arm is found to be very helpful.

5) Highly excitable, panic easily and talks excessively and non-stop chatting

This could be early signs of developing heart problems.
Stammering and other speech difficulties may indicate underlying cardiovascular problems. Stammering may suggest a heart murmur, a tired and overworked heart.  
These may be caused by excessive intakes of dairy or fatty food.  Fast and excessive speaking may display an inclination of developing high blood pressure, which may result from excessive amounts of spices, sugar, and oily food.

6) Laughter is one of the best medicines

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.  
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

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Pleasant, positive words are like a honeycomb which is sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  It is always good to practice and be conscious of our speech, thoughts and actions, towards others and self.  It is better to be kind than always trying to be right.

However, do take note that people with excessive laughter and giggling over almost every matter, and joking insensibly or often in a “high state of mind”, may indicate a swollen, overworked heart that could be contributed by stress and excessive intake of carbonated drinks, desserts, white sugar and flour products, sweets, raw foods, stimulants and alcohol. 

Also, from a psychological point of view, excessive laughter (as mentioned above), may indicate a “camouflaged” sadness or in-betweens of mood swings that have been on-going and suppressed overtime.  This may indicate other underlying health or mental challenges.  Good to seek medical attention to prevent worsening of health.

Can we prevent and manage heart disease and circulatory problems?

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Yes! Medical science has discovered that many heart conditions, like coronary heart diseases, are preventable and also reversible, especially with the help of incorporating balanced diet, moderate activity and exercise, and a healthy and positive lifestyle.

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Incorporating a holistic approach to our health which is to address the mind, body and soul/spirit is helpful. This means to intentionally make healthy and positive changes a priority to our lives. Give this a try and discover a healthier you!