4
Breaking
i n s p i R i n g h e a lt h
the connection
In Our YOunGer daYs, ManY OF us COuld Get awaY wIth eatInG what we
wanted, avOIdInG phYsICal aCtIvItY, and IGnOrInG a phYsICIan���s advICe,
and COuld stIll enjOY lIFe tO the Fullest. But as we aGe, COntInuInG
that CareFree lIFestYle MaY daMaGe Our CIrCulatOrY sYsteM and put
ManY OF us at rIsk FOr heart dIsease and strOke.
the CiRCulatoRy systeM is a
wonderfully simple part of the body. Consisting
of the heart, blood, and blood vessels, the system
delivers oxygen and other nutrients, as well as
hormones, throughout the body while removing
cell waste and fighting infection. One of the system���s
most important functions is to supply oxygen to the
brain. When blood flow to the brain is interrupted,
serious consequences may arise.
Heart disease and stroke are both related to the
flow of blood; heart disease affects the flow to the
heart, while stroke is an interruption of the flow
to the brain. Both share most of the same risk
factors, including:
��� uncontrolled high
��� smoking
blood pressure
��� diabetes
��� family history
��� stress
��� high cholesterol
��� obesity
A less familiar stroke risk factor comes from
two sources you might not expect.
���Foods with vitamin K, such as green vegetables,
and antibiotics can affect bleeding,��� says Monica
McDonald, MD, FACC, FACS, Cardiothoracic
and Vascular Surgeon at Sacred Heart Hospital.
