Heart Health and
Disease
Disease
The leading cause of death globally is this kind of heart-related illness.
What is cardiovascular disease?
Reducing sodium and increasing this mineral can help lower BP.
What is potassium?
The indigenous practice of drying berries into cakes preserves this key vitamin.
What is vitamin C?
Tarahumara runners practice persistence hunting over this kind of terrain.
What is mountainous terrain?
Blood from the right ventricle travels to this organ for oxygen exchange.
What are the lungs?
Accumulation of plaque inside arteries is known as this.
What is atherosclerosis?
This percent decrease in weight can significantly reduce BP.
What is 5-10%?
Pecans and walnuts are especially high in this anti-inflammatory omega-3 fat.
What is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)?
Powwow dance steps enhance cardiovascular endurance by increasing this.
What is heart rate?
The one-way structures preventing backward blood flow in the heart.
What are the heart valves?
Chronic uncontrolled high BP can lead to damage of these organs.
What are the kidneys?
Physical activity improves this feature of arteries that reduces BP.
What is vascular elasticity?
Traditional diets were rich in this kind of nutrient, important for gut and heart health.
What is dietary fiber?
Stomp dances involve sustained aerobic motion often performed in this setting.
What is a circle around a sacred fire?
This specialized muscle tissue allows the heart to contract rhythmically without direct nerve simulation.
What is cardiac muscle/myocardium?
This condition means an irregular heart rhythm.
What is arrhythmia?
Practicing this mental technique reduces BP by lowering stress hormone levels.
What is meditation?
These protective compounds in cacao help reduce oxidative stress.
Wha are flavonoids/polyphenols?
Surfing as practiced by Pacific coastal tribes requires these two core physical skills.
What are balance and strength?
Blood returning from systemic circulation enters the heart through this large vein.
What is the vena cava?
Heart failure is the inability of the heart to do this.
What is pump blood efficiently?
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
Indigenous diets support metabolic health partly due to their high content of these non-nutritive plant chemicals.
What are phytochemicals?
Traditional foraging contributes to this cardiovascular benefit, especially in mountainous regions.
What is increased VO2 max or aerobic capacity?
Blood pressure is highest in this large vessel as it leaves the left ventricle.
What is the aorta?