Every year, almost 1 million people die from cardiovascular disease in the United States.  Heart disease is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the function and structure of the heart, the most common being coronary heart disease (CHD). 11.7% of American adults, more than 1 out of every 10, have been diagnosed with heart disease, and about 647,000 Americans die from heart diseases each year.

February has been designated as Heart Health Month and is a national initiative to encourage and motivate everyone to adopt heart-healthy behaviors. The goal is to raise awareness about heart health and urge people to lower their risk of developing heart disease.  Heart disease is currently the leading cause of death in the United States; fortunately, it can be largely preventable.

Coronary heart disease, also called atherosclerosis, is a condition in which plaque builds up along the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the heart with nutrients and oxygen.  As plaque continues to collect, there is a progressive decrease in oxygen and supply of nutrients to the heart, which can lead to damage of the heart muscle, heart attack, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), and heart failure.

If the plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form on its surface.  A large blood clot can mostly or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery.  Also, ruptured plaque hardens over time and narrows the coronary arteries.

Oxidation is a biochemical process that results from a loss of electrons, which are essential due to their role in energy production.  Excessive oxidation, however, can cause damage to the cells lining the arterial walls (endothelium) and lead to the accumulation of plaque (i.e. blocked or clogged arteries).  The progression of atherosclerosis, beginning with the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is thought to promote complex inflammatory and immunologic mechanisms, leading to an abnormal lipid profile as well as damage to the endothelial cells of the arteries.

The concept that oxidative stress, and the oxidation of LDL, might play a role in atherosclerosis originated over 25 years ago.  The idea stemmed from a simple observation that in-vitro incubation of macrophages with oxidized LDL, and not with native LDL, led to an accumulation of cholesterol.  The resulting discovery was that the oxidation of LDL promotes a formation of plaque on arterial walls.

Risk Factor Checklist:

• High cholesterol and triglycerides
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes and pre-diabetes
• Overweight and obesity
• Smoking
• Lack of physical activity
• Unhealthy diet
• Stress
• Family history

A critical component of preventive medicine for assessing the risk of heart disease is laboratory testing.  Laboratory testing can identify a majority of risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes, pre-diabetes, chronic body inflammation, elevated blood clotting factors, genetic risk factors, heart stress markers, as well as ratios of healthy and unhealthy dietary fats.  Along with proper nutrition, physical activity, and stress reduction, laboratory testing is considered a foundational part of the approach for the treatment and prevention of heart disease.

Evexia invites you to learn more about these Evexia Panels and Evexia Nutraceuticals™ that can help support overall Heart Health.

In honor of hearth health awareness month we are offering a 15% DISCOUNT^* on these Evexia Panels and Test Kits:

Additional diagnostic tests related to Cardiovascular Support^**:

• Oxidized LDL
• RBC Glutathione
• Cardio/ION Profile

This month, ALL Evexia Nutraceuticals™ are discounted 15% OFF^*.

This offer applies to the Evexia Nutraceuticals™ that support the cardiovascular system such as:

^*The amount of the discount will be credited to your account within 1-2 business days of the purchase of the listed panels or nutraceuticals.

^**These diagnostic tests are not included in the offered 15% discount.