Be The King Or Queen Of Hearts
by Molly Punzo, M.D

February is the month we celebrate love, Valentine’s Day, and the heart. February has suitably been designated as heart disease awarenessmonth. I want to talk about what you can do to keep your heart (and the hearts of those you love) in tiptop shape.

The heart can be best understood as a pump. Its diseases can be broken down into diseases of the circulation (coronary artery disease), electrical system (arrhythmias), valves (valvular heart disease, such as aortic stenosis or mitral valve disease), or the muscle itself (heart failure).

Plaque build-up within the walls of the arteries can rupture into the vessel space and block vital blood flow to the heart muscle itself. This is called acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a heart attack. The muscle beyond the blockage may become irreversibly damaged and unable to pump, causing congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is so weakened by this damage that it cannot adequately pump blood forcibly forward into the body. Blood then backs up into the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. Heart failure is difficult to treat, but medications such as diuretics and other important heart drugs can reduce the severity of symptoms. The best way to prevent a heart attack from occurring is by reducing or even preventing plaque build-up within the walls of the coronary arteries.

So how do you do that? Fiber has been shown to reduce the cholesterol that causes dangerous plaque build-up. Konsyl is made from natural fiber (the psyllium plant) and offers many heart-healthy benefits in addition to cholesterol reduction. Other benefits of Konsyl include appetite suppression, weight reduction, and better management of diabetes; all of which reduce your risks of serious heart disease.

What’s a heart-healthy diet? A diet rich in anti-oxidants such as fresh fruits and vegetables, cherries and berries; spices such as curcumin or turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, cloves, mint, oregano; good or essential fats (rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids such as those found in flax seed, eggs, fish, and nuts); low glycemic index foods (those that are low in sugar and high in fiber, such as whole-grain breads, pastas and cereals); and avoidance of sugar, processed foods, red meat, and foods made with partially hydrogenated transfats (read the package label).

If you do not get enough of these vital fats and nutrients from food, you can take daily supplements. A high-quality daily vitamin often provides a bare minimum of essential nutrients. Look for one that says USP (US Pharmacopoeia) or GMP (good manufacturing practice) on the label to ensure quality control. Supplements such as Pycnogenol and Resveratrol (an important component of red wine), for example, are good anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant agents. Vitamin D (available free from sunshine) is often deficient as we age and may need to be supplemented, especially during the winter months. Many studies have shown the importance of Vitamin D in the prevention of certain cancers and other serious diseases, including heart disease.

And don’t forget about the heart-mind-body connection. Keep yourself and your heart healthy by lowering and managing your stress, keeping a positive attitude, loving life, and staying happy. The heart is the seat of our emotions, and healthy emotions are just as important as exercise and a healthy diet.

I’ll end with a Swedish proverb in honor of the heart and Valentine’s Day:

“Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, whine less, breathe more, talk less, say more, love more, and all good things will be yours.”

Happy Valentine’s Day!