The heart is an efficient organ when healthy. It carries oxygen around our entire body and to every cell with it's pumping action. When the pump weakens it can no longer deliver oxygen efficiently to our cells. The result is tiredness, shortness of breath, and sometimes a build up of fluid in the legs or lungs. Everyday activities such as walking, carrying groceries, or climbing stairs can become much more difficult. Heart failure is a serious condition, and there usually is no cure. However, with proper care, lifestyle changes, the right medications and close supervision it is possible to lead a full, enjoyable life. We can also concentrate on improving or reversing the risk factors for heart failure, therefore delaying or altogether preventing this disease. 

Statistics On Heart Failure 

Causes of Heart Failure
Coronary artery disease, heart attacks and hypertension still remain the most common causes of heart failure. Being overweight places an extra burden on the heart as well, as does smoking. These risk factors can all be addressed with important lifestyle changes, including exercise, proper diet and quitting smoking. 

There are a host of other causes that are not as common but can result in heart failure. They are varied, ranging from problems with the heart valves themselves, inflammation in the heart muscle, diabetes, a hyperactive thyroid gland, nutritional disorders, excessive alcohol consumption, and some forms of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis). This list is by no means complete, but certainly illustrates how varied the causes of heart failure are. 

Important Prevention Steps

Help From A Natural Supplement 

Clinical studies have shown that a standardized extract of the herb Hawthorn improved heart function in the following ways:

Another important nutritional supplement is coenzyme Q-10, which has been used in the treatment of heart failure, and has been shown to also improve heart function. Clinical studies have shown it improves the quality of life and decreases symptoms in people who have heart failure. However, studies have shown it to be effective only at a daily intake of 100 mg, a dose much higher than most over the counter supplements have. 

Cardio Essentials is one of Unicity's products listed in the Physicians's Desk Reference.

Cardio Essentials provides a standardized extract of Hawthorne, 100 mg of coenzyme Q-10, plus L carnitine and L-taurine, two additional substances important to heart health. If you or someone you love has heart failure it's a good natural supplement that can be added to the current therapeutic regimen. There have been no reports of toxicity with coenzyme Q-10, and studies with Hawthorn for 16 weeks did not show any toxicity either. For those with coronary heart disease, it could help prevent the further deterioration of that critical heart function. Talk to your doctor if you think you might benefit from this supplement.