In New Zealand, a third of all deaths are attributed to heart disease. ONE IN THREE! That’s staggering. Statins are the most prescribed medicine across Australia and New Zealand, and globally, over 40% of the adult population has cholesterol abnormalities.

Consider the function of the cardiovascular system: the heart is the central pump, the hardest working muscle in the body. It’s continuously contracting to pump blood around the body, via a vast network of thousands of kilometres of blood vessels, delivering oxygen and nutrients to every cell, tissue and organ of the body. It also transports hormones, enzymes and immune components, and helps with the removal of waste products from our cells. All of these are pretty essential tasks in our general maintenance and upkeep, which is why improving the health of the heart and blood vessels is so important for the proper functioning every single organ and system of our body.

The good news is that diet and lifestyle habits can have an enormous benefit on the health of our cardiovascular system. Taking a holistic approach, we can hone in on three key areas of focus that influence the heart and vasculature: maintaining good oral health, improving microcirculation, and getting inflammation under control. This series will outline the purpose of each of these focus areas and give you an action plan that supports the health of this crucial system. Looking after the heart and vasculature not only makes you feel better – it increases your vibrancy and vitality, helping you look better, think more clearly, and perform at a higher level. Its worth the effort!