[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/using-holistic-nutrition-to-manage-heart-disease-part-1\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/using-holistic-nutrition-to-manage-heart-disease-part-1\/","headline":"Using Holistic Nutrition To Manage Heart Disease, Part 1","name":"Using Holistic Nutrition To Manage Heart Disease, Part 1","description":"Heart disease is one of the leading illnesses that healthcare providers encounter in the field. In fact, it\u2019s one of the leading causes of death in both Canada and the United...","datePublished":"2022-11-24","dateModified":"2026-01-29","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/author\/ein_marlene\/#Person","name":"Marlene","url":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/author\/ein_marlene\/","identifier":4,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/669d68837c50949b8a978b90d77c2c97da62be0c9a8fee8912abb01c7e0947a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/669d68837c50949b8a978b90d77c2c97da62be0c9a8fee8912abb01c7e0947a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Edison Institute of Nutrition","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Edison-Institute-of-Nutrition-logo-color.svg","url":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Edison-Institute-of-Nutrition-logo-color.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/using-nutrition-to-manage-heart-disease-part-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/using-nutrition-to-manage-heart-disease-part-1.jpg","height":630,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/using-holistic-nutrition-to-manage-heart-disease-part-1\/","about":["Articles","Health Conditions"],"wordCount":1906,"articleBody":"Heart disease is one of the leading illnesses that healthcare providers encounter in the field. In fact, it\u2019s one of the leading causes of death in both Canada and the United States \u2013 but it\u2019s also preventable in many cases. If you choose to pursue a holistic nutrition diploma study program online here at Edison Institute Of Nutrition, you\u2019ll learn about how to use a holistic nutrition approach to help manage heart disease.Once you graduate and enter nutritionist private practice, clients may seek your support with their heart health for a range of reasons, including:To recover from a recent cardiac eventTo improve heart health and function after receiving a heart disease diagnosisTo take early steps to prevent heart disease where a family history or other risk factors existTending to the relationship between nutrition and heart health can improve function, longevity, and quality of life.Keep reading below to find out more about heart disease, its symptoms, and its causes.What Is Heart Disease?In Canada, heart disease is the second leading cause of death for adults.In the United States, that number is even higher \u2013 it\u2019s the leading cause of death for American adults, causing one in five deaths.Types Of Heart DiseaseHeart disease isn\u2019t just a single condition.Heart disease is an umbrella term that covers several conditions that affect the health and proper function of the heart.Let\u2019s take a look at some of the different types of heart disease you may encounter as a holistic nutritionist.AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis is the hardening of the walls of the arteries.This only occurs in arteries, never in veins.Digestion works by breaking down nutrients in your food, which are then carried through your arteries and bloodstream to the place where they\u2019re most useful.Over time, however, cholesterol, trans fats and other unhealthy fats, and calcium can build up in your arteries, creating plaque.As it builds, plaque causes your arteries to harden, making it harder for the arterial walls to expand and contract and deliver oxygen to various organs and tissues, including muscles like the heart.Symptoms Of AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis symptoms can include pain, weakness, and neurological issues.Pain can occur anywhere that an artery has become blocked.This might look like chest pain, angina, pain in and arm or leg, or cramping in the buttocks when walking.Weakness and fatigue may occur when muscles, lungs, and other parts are not receiving enough oxygen.Look out for shortness of breath, fatigue, and muscle weakness in your legs.If the blockage affects your brain, you may feel neurological issues including confusion, loss of motor control, or loss of sensory function.What Causes Atherosclerosis?Plaque typically builds up on arterial walls gradually over decades.This causes them to become progressively narrower, and so constricted that they can trigger a heart attack or stroke.Where does this come from?You might think it\u2019s from a high fat, high cholesterol diet, but not quite.Cholesterol levels tend to raise more in response to dietary sugars, caffeine, and alcohol than they do in response to dietary fats or cholesterol.RELATED: Is Sugar Really As Bad As They Say?RELATED: Health Benefits (And Drawbacks) Of CoffeeIn fact, cholesterol has gotten a bad rap over the years.It\u2019s a vital bodily substance, and in fact your body produces most of the cholesterol you need on its own.Only about 20% comes from your diet, and the less you eat the more your body will produce to make up for it.However, there are two different types of cholesterol.There\u2019s LDL \u2013 low density lipoprotein \u2013 and HDL \u2013 high density lipoprotein.LDL is sometimes referred to as \u201cbad cholesterol\u201d.When you have a damaged artery, your body sends LDL and blood cells (especially macrophages) together in tandem to the site of damage to repair it.They\u2019re not the cause of the damage.Macrophages are part of your body\u2019s immune system.They\u2019re scavenger cells, clearing your blood of diseased cells, cellular debris, and other pathogens.Your body uses them to dispose of arterial cells that have become damaged.If you don\u2019t get enough soluble fibre in your diet, this can also leave your body without the tool it needs to break down LDL and eliminate the excess, which will build up in your arteries.High LDL levels can also be caused by:Lack of physical activitySmokingElevated kidney function from diabetesA diet high in trans fatsA diet high in polyunsaturated fatsA diet high in rancid fats and deep fried foodsThe quality of fats you eat can significantly affect arterial health.So other than this, what other factors are at work?Vitamin C deficiency is one.Without enough Vitamin C, your body can\u2019t produce enough LPL (lipoprotein lipase) to prevent excess fats and cholesterol from building up in your arteries.High blood sugar is another factor, which can happen with type 2 diabetes as well as a precursor to it.When you have high blood sugar, it accelerates free radical damage, which, combined with homocysteine, can further aggravate your artery walls.Heart ArrhythmiasArrhythmia is a heartbeat that doesn\u2019t follow a typical pattern or pace.There are a number of different types of arrhythmias, including:Tachycardia, a heartrate over 100 beats per minuteBradycardia, a heartrate that is under 60 beats per minuteVentricular arrhythmiaSupraventricular (atrial) arrhythmiaPremature heartbeatSymptoms Of Heart ArrhythmiasCommon signs of arrhythmia include:A very fast heartbeatFeeling like your heart missed a beat (not in a romantic way!)A slow or uneven heartbeatA trembling feeling in your chest or neckIn some cases, an arrhythmia can also be present but show no signs.What Causes Heart Arrhythmias?There are a number of different causes of heart arrhythmias.Physical causes include:AtherosclerosisDiabetesHigh blood pressureDehydrationA disorder with your thyroid hormonesSleep apneaAnemiaLifestyle factors that can contribute to an arrhythmia include alcohol consumption, smoking, coughing, and lack of exercise.Medications for blood pressure, depression, allergies and colds are also known to cause arrhythmia.If you feel strong emotions like anger or fear, it may cause a brief arrhythmia, but that\u2019s generally not cause for concern.But if you feel these chronically, it can cause larger issues.Coronary Artery DiseaseCoronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease, is the most common form of heart disease.With coronary artery disease, your arteries can\u2019t deliver enough blood to your heart.If left untreated, this can lead to a heart attack and can be fatal.Symptoms Of Coronary Artery DiseaseIn some cases, you might not feel any symptoms until you experience a heart attack.If you do, you may feel:Strong chest painTightness or heaviness in your chestA burning or squeezing sensationShortness of breathNausea and vomitingPain in your jaw or backIt\u2019s interesting to note that these symptoms can vary by gender \u2013 women tend to experience nausea and jaw\/back pain more often than men.What Causes Coronary Artery Disease?Most of the time, coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis, which we talked about above.In rare cases, blockages in the arteries are the result of other issues, such as:An embolism \u2013 when part of a blood clot breaks off and blocks your arteryAn aneurysm \u2013 when a section of your artery expands abnormally, preventing proper blood flowArtery vasculitis \u2013 when your artery becomes inflamed and shrinks the passageCoronary artery dissection \u2013 when your inner arterial layer tears and blood begins to flow outside where it ought toCardiomyopathyCardiomyopathy is weakening of your heart muscle over time.There are 4 general types of cardiomyopathy:Dilated cardiomyopathy \u2013 when your heart becomes enlarged and may become too weak to pump blood sufficientlyHypertrophic cardiomyopathy\u2009\u2013\u2009when your heart walls become thickened, leading to decreased blood flow and stiffnessArrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) \u2013 when fat and fibrous tissue replace your heart\u2019s muscle tissue in the right ventricle, causing arrhythmiasRestrictive cardiomyopathy \u2013 when your heart ventricles become stiff and can no longer release to pull blood into the heartSymptoms Of CardiomyopathyIn cases of cardiomyopathy, your heart is unable to move blood through your body properly, leading to pooling of fluids and decreased flow of oxygen to various parts of the body.This can cause symptoms of:Chronic fatigueDizziness or fainting spellsShortness of breathChest painCoughing when you lie downHigh blood pressureAbdominal bloatingEdema\u2009\u2014\u2009swelling in your feet, legs, ankles, or other extremitiesWhat Causes Cardiomyopathy?In some cases, cardomyopathy is genetic \u2013 that is, inherited from family.In others, it can be caused by coronary artery disease, heart attack, or a heart muscle infection.In most cases, however, the cause of cardiomyopathy is unknown.Factors that increase your likelihood of cardiomyopathy include:Family history of heart diseaseChronic high blood pressureDiabetesThyroid diseaseCOVID-19 infectionLong term drug abuseHeart InfectionsA heart infection, or infective endocarditis, happens when bacteria or fungi multiply inside the inner lining of your heart, the endocardium, causing it to swell.Symptoms Of Heart InfectionsThe signs and symptoms of heart infection can vary greatly from person to person.These are influenced by your general heart health, what type of infection you have, and how long it\u2019s lasted.Some possible symptoms include:Heart murmurPale skinChills or feverCoughing and shortness of breathNausea, loss of appetite, or unintentional weight lossSwelling in the feet, legs, or bellyA full or heavy feeling in your upper left abdomenNight sweatsMuscle pain or joint painWhat Causes Heart Infections?Heart infections occur when bacteria or fungi get into your heart through your bloodstream and multiply inside it.These pathogens can also get into your bloodstream due to gum disease or poor oral hygiene, through cuts or abrasions in the mouth, when using contaminated needles, or via a catheter.We ingest these things every day by eating, drinking, and touching our eyes, nose or mouth, but in most cases your immune system takes care of it.Sometimes, however, your immune system fails to catch all of it or doesn\u2019t fight it quickly enough.Contact Edison Institute Of Nutrition TodayHeart disease is one of the most widespread health concerns today, impacting people across gender, ethnicity, and age boundaries.If you, or someone you love, has been impacted by heart disease, consider a career in holistic nutrition to learn how you can help them stay healthy.Here at Edison Institute of Nutrition, we offer a variety of programs and continuing education courses for holistic nutritionists, including:How to run a nutritional consulting practiceAdvanced nutrition practiceLive and dry blood cell microscopy training for holistic practitionersAnd much moreContact us today to learn more about the courses we offer, and find the right fit for you."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Using Holistic Nutrition To Manage Heart Disease, Part 1","item":"https:\/\/edisoninst.com\/using-holistic-nutrition-to-manage-heart-disease-part-1\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]