Oftentimes many tend to look at life expectancy as a statistic that really doesn't apply to them, after all it is just an average. In some ways I understand this line of reasoning but the truth of the matter is that all of us will kick-the-bucket at some point and for most men it will likely be before the age of 80 (average life expectancy for men is now only 75.6).

For women the news is a little better. Nevertheless a woman will likely visit the big salon in the sky playing Barry White music before the age of 85 (average life expectancy for women is 80.6).

So we will all be headed that way at some point and for those of us over the age of 50 we are closer to the end than to the beginning. It is also true that for many people cardiovascular diseases and conditions will bring their lives to an end earlier rather than later.

Cardiovascular health, disease avoidance, and longevity is the tale of two lines. One line which is always rising has to do with the amount of cholesterol laden plaque which has accumulated in the arteries over time leading to hardening and reducing the amount of blood flow.

The other line, which is always declining, is the amount of pumping power the heart is able to muster up. You see, the heart is a muscle that pumps 100,000 times a day and at some point starts to wear out. Most studies suggest that the average heart will lose about half of its pumping power by the age of 80.

Yes, we can and should try to keep our heart muscle strong but the truth is at some point its ability to pump blood will decline dramatically. If this is combined with even moderate amounts of arterial blockage the chances of having a heart attack, stroke, developing an arrhythmia, or some form of heart failure or condition will be almost certain.

The key is making sure these two converging lines stay as far apart for as long as possible.

By keeping cholesterol buildup inside the arterial wall to a minimum you will be doing your heart a big favor by not forcing it to work as hard which in turn will keep it pumping stronger for longer.

Numerous research studies suggest that for cholesterol to accumulate in the lining of the artery/arteries they must be nicked or damaged.

Some believe it is cholesterol itself that causes the arteries to become nicked or damaged, others believe it is caused by inflammation, while still others believe consuming large amounts of high protein foods which triggers the release of harmful amino acids known as homocysteines is the primary culprit. My guess is that it is not one but all three that lead us down the path to arterial disease and/or blockage.

Why don't we look at a few simple natural ways you can improve arterial health and cardiovascular wellness.

*Reduce saturated fat intake: No more than about 8 percent of total daily calories should come from saturated fat intake.

*Neutralize homocysteines: Vitamin B is the best defense. Examples of foods that are high in B vitamins are leafy greens, fish, and beans. Vitamin B supplements are also an alternative.

*Consume foods that bind with cholesterol: Certain foods bind with cholesterol in the intestines and take it out with the solid waste. Examples are oatmeal, apples, oat bran, and flax.

*Stay active: While our main goal is to keep the arteries clear it is also important to keep the heart muscle strong. To do this the American Heart Association suggests 30 minutes of daily doctor approved exercise.

*Reduce internal inflammation: This a topic for another time. Nevertheless, a couple of good ideas would be to reduce stress and consider eating a 4 ounce serving of fish two times a week or taking fish oil supplements high in DHA as a substitute.

*Natural cholesterol reduction supplements: If you feel like you may need a little extra help to achieve your cardiovascular goals natural cholesterol reduction supplements are a safe and effective alternative worth considering.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living
with over 10 years experience in the field.
To discover more about heart and cholesterol health along with information about safe and effective herbal and homeopathic cholesterol reduction supplements Click Here

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