Heart Hub

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.¹

There are around 1.4 million heart attack survivors currently living in the UK.¹

34,000 deaths each year occur due to strokes.¹

In the UK alone, each year, over 100,000 people are admitted to hospital due to heart attacks - every 5 minutes, one person is admitted to the hospital for a heart attack.¹ Strokes are the biggest cause of severe disability in the UK. Both heart disease and vascular dementia are linked to genetics.¹

Oxidised cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) can become oxidised when it is exposed to oxidative stress and inflammation. Oxidised cholesterol becomes hard and forms plaques on artery walls that can break off and trigger clots. The buildup of oxidised cholesterol is referred to as atherosclerosis. Researchers have recommended using oxidised low-density lipoprotein as the biggest indication of cardiovascular disease risk.²

Cholesterol levels

Do we need cholesterol?

Cholesterol is needed when in balance. Many hormones and cofactors, such as coenzyme Q10, are synthesised from cholesterol. Cholesterol is a vital component of brain cell membranes and plays an essential role in brain function and development. Cholesterol is a significant constituent of the central nervous system and plays an important role in developmental pathways. Cholesterol is also necessary for the formation of synapses, with cultured neurons from the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) requiring glia-derived cholesterol to form numerous and efficient synapses. Cholesterol becomes dangerous once oxidised and allowed to form plaque in the arteries. Therefore, as practitioners, we need to ensure that cholesterol is in the right place in the body, used appropriately, and not oxidised or stored in the arteries.

VLDL

Very-low-density lipoprotein transports triglycerides from the liver to various tissues in the body. It is the main carrier of triglycerides in the blood. VLDL contains a high proportion of triglycerides (about 55-65%) and relatively low levels of cholesterol (about 10-15%).

LDL

Low-density lipoproteins’ role is to carry cholesterol from the liver to the cells of the body. The cells use cholesterol for various purposes, including cell membrane construction and the production of hormones. LDL contains a higher percentage of cholesterol (about 50-60%) compared with VLDL and a lower amount of triglycerides.

HDL

High-density lipoprotein is responsible for removing excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transporting it to the liver, where it is either reused or excreted. This helps prevent cholesterol from building up in the arteries. HDL is composed of a higher proportion of protein (about 50%) and less cholesterol (about 20-30%) compared to other lipoproteins. High levels of HDL are considered protective against heart disease. It helps reduce the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries, improving cardiovascular health. Cholesterol is absorbed from the diet and created by the liver. Cholesterol is also synthesised by macrophages when they are activated through MyD88-dependent PRRs, resulting in the general accumulation of total cellular cholesterol.3

NICE CKS clinical guidelines for target cholesterol levels^3,4

2.0 mmol/L or less

of 2.6 mmol/L or less

above 1.0mmol/L for men or above 1.2mmol/L for women

5 mmol/L or less

Diastole and systole of the heart

Physiology of heart health

The cardiac contractability, ventricular performance and oxygen requirements are determined by:⁴

Preload (the loading condition of the heart at the end of its filling phase and before contraction, determined by its ability to stretch).
Afterload (the force resisting myocardial fibre contraction).
Availability of oxygen, fatty acids and glucose.
Heart rate and rhythm.
Amount of viable myocardium (the portion of heart muscle that remains alive and functional, even in areas affected by conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD) or a heart attack).
Cardiac output (the rate of blood output from the heart determined by stroke volume, heart rate, venous return, peripheral vascular tone and neurofactors).

Heart diet recommendations

Foods to reach for

Foods to avoid

Learn More

HeartPro®

Comprehensive heart health support.

Plant sterols are clinically proven to support normal cholesterol levels. We pair 900mg with black garlic (300mg of concentrated, aged garlic), ginger root (1,000mg), and 8 billion Lactobacillus plantarum. CoQ10 is a compound the body makes less of with age. B vitamins support the nervous system.