Cardiovascular Health

Updated November 14, 2023

What’s love got to do with it?

Lots actually! Loneliness poses the same risk as smoking for heart disease, as reported by Harvard Medical School¹.

To lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, you need to get out and meet people. Be social, have friends, engage in relationships with humans and animals, talk with children and reach out to your local community. Loneliness, has been linked to a weakened immune system and high blood pressure according to The Harvard Medical School¹.

Loneliness and social isolation, can increase your risk of a heart attack by 29% and of a stroke by 32%². The risk was deemed similar to smoking and obesity factors.

Coronary heart disease and increased rates of stroke, are linked to poor social relationships, loneliness and social isolation, according to a review of studies published in 2016³.

In 2014 Coronary Heart Disease was the leading cause of death in both sexes. Males have the higher rates in Coronary Heart Disease and females have the higher rates in relation to Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)⁴.

Aside from Heart disease and strokes, elderly people are also at risk of depression⁵, a weakened immune system and high blood pressure according to The Harvard Medical School¹.

We are living longer, and we need to find ways to improve the quality of life for our elderly. In 2016, approximately 3.7 million Australians were over the age of 65⁴. By 2056, the ageing population is estimated to be 8.7 million³. The average life expectancy in 2016 for a female was 84.5 years and for a male it was 80.4 years⁴.

Let’s bring LIFE back into our aged community. Some things we could help implement into our aged community to minimise their risk factors are:

Exercise- 20-30 mins outdoors everyday. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Take long deep breaths, tell jokes and have a laugh!
Rescue a pet from the pound- Just a little companion that you can manage and share your life with.
Community Centre- Join your local community centre and frequently attend their outings. Share similar experiences with like-minded people from your community.
Fall in love- You are never too old to fall in love! What a magical experience, enjoy, appreciate and share it.
Get together with some local neighbours and play a game of cards or bingo. Interacting with people will not only help you build relationships, it will also strengthen your immune system and keep your mood uplifted.

Below are some Nature’s Sunshine products that will help keep your heart strong, for good loving!

Hawthorn berries

Traditionally used in Europe to help maintain and support the Cardiovascular system. The benefits of Hawthorn have been researched extensively. Hawthorn increases coronary blood flow, helps regulate and maintain your heart rate and acts as an antioxidant, protecting the cardiovascular system against free radical damage.

Korean Ginseng

Korean Ginseng is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to promote general endurance and stamina. It is traditionally known as an adaptogen, and used to help relieve fatigue during periods of mental or physical exertion. It enhances stamina, concentration and stress resistance and can help support general wellbeing in debilitated and degenerative conditions especially associated with old age.

Maca

Maca is traditionally known for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Culturally used by the Peruvian people to help enhance physical energy, endurance, stamina, improve mental clarity and enhance libido.
It is a nutritious superfood, packed with many vitamins and minerals, beneficial for both men and women to help support their physical and mental strength, health and wellbeing.

References

Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard’s Men’s Health Watch (2016, June). Loneliness has same risk as smoking for heart disease, Retrieved from
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/loneliness-has-same-risk-as-smoking-for-heart-disease

Valtorta N, Kanaan M, Gilbody S, Ronzi S, Hanratty B. (2016). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke: systemic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational studies, Heart, Retrieved from
http://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2016/03/15/heartjnl-2015-308790