Chiropractic care can benefit the cardiovascular system by reducing risk factors and dampening inflammation. Wholistic health strategies, including chiropractic care, can help patients make positive lifestyle changes, reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, and ultimately lead healthier lives.

Cardiovascular disease is a major burden for adults in the United States. Heart disease, a type of cardiovascular disease, is a leading cause of death. Approximately 695,000 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2021, a statistic that increases every year.1 Fortunately, modifiable lifestyle factors can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Oxidative stress can impact cardiovascular health through several mechanisms. Many vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients function as natural antioxidants, helping to alleviate oxidative stress and improve cardiovascular health.

Chronically elevated homocysteine can exert harmful effects on the heart and blood vessels, but ensuring adequate vitamin B6 intake can support both homocysteine metabolism and cardiovascular health.

Hawthorn has been used since ancient times across continents and medical traditions for both its nutritional and medicinal properties. Different parts of the plant including leaves, flowers, and berries have been documented for their medicinal effects and have a long traditional use for improving cardiac and circulatory function.

Cholesterol is a type of fat created by the body that’s long been studied for its connection to heart health. While cholesterol can come from the diet, the body makes enough cholesterol on its own to insulate nerves, create cell membranes, and produce certain hormones. Cholesterol is absorbed in the digestive tract where it makes its way to the liver, ultimately circulating throughout the body via the bloodstream. Many factors contribute to an individual’s cholesterol status, including weight, physical activity, age, genetics, medical conditions, and medication use.

A diet that incorporates whole foods and polyphenol rich nutrients can target multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and primarily address vascular endothelial dysfunction. Almost 50 percent of Americans have at least one major risk factor for heart disease. What can be done to address these risk factors? At best, pharmaceutical drugs treat a single risk factor, but not the underlying issue. A healthful diet that incorporates whole foods and nutrients with polyphenols can target multiple risk factors, and primarily addressing vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) due to sticky endothelium.