renee.t.edge Your circulatory system can be significantly impacted by inflammation. Heart disease and high blood pressure are two of the biggest effects of inflammation on the circulatory system. Inflammation plays a role in all stages of atherothrombosis (formation of blood clots), the underlying cause of approximately 80% of all sudden cardiac death.
High blood pressure is caused by endothelial dysfunction, or the failure of the cells that line the walls of your arteries, which are important for the function of regulating blood pressure. This dysfunction leads to inflammation, oxidative damage and the accumulation of plaque inside artery walls. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) a marker of inflammation, impacts cardiovascular health. The higher the levels of CRP. the less nitric oxide there is to dilate your arteries to maintain optimal blood flow.
Sustained low levels of inflammation irritate your blood vessels. Inflammation may promote the growth of plaques, loosen plaque in your arteries and trigger blood clots — the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes. When a blood clot blocks an artery to the heart, you have a heart attack. If the blood clot blocks an artery to the brain, the result is a stroke. Statin drugs used to lower the cholesterol can also significantly reduce inflammation, reducing the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
Three things you can do to decrease the effects of inflammation of your heart and blood vessels are:
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight increases your risk for multiple diseases. Carrying excess fat around your belly is a red flag for heart disease risk. A type of fat that accumulates in the belly (called visceral fat) secretes a molecule that causes inflammation.
Increase activity: Exercising for as little as 20 minutes a day can decrease inflammation. You don’t have to do an intense sweat session: Moderate workouts, such as fast walking, are effective.
Eat a heart-healthy diet: Processed and fast foods produce inflammation. Whole foods, on the other hand, are anti-inflammatory. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and fatty fish.
Continue to follow along to discover other diseases whose root lies in chronic inflammation.
Not sure if you may be dealing with Chronic Inflammation? Check out this prior blog post for more information- The Destruction of Chronic Inflammation
