How Your Heart Works

Your heart is vital to your life. Its primary job is to pump blood through the arteries, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to cells, while carrying away waste products for processing and disposal by other organs. Problems arise, however, when there is a buildup of (bad) LDL cholesterol with fats and other substances on the inner walls of arteries. This buildup contributes to dysfunctional blood vessels and the formation of plaque. Plaque, in turn, can create jams or blocks in the arterial pathways, restricting blood flow or even blocking it entirely by forming a blood clot. Blood clots can block blood flow to the heart, leading to heart attacks. When a clot blocks flow to or in the brain, it causes stroke. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is one of the most common forms of cardiovascular disease.

Why Do Arteries Harden?
Scientific research has shown that high blood cholesterol is one main factor causing these deposits in arteries. A diet high in fat, especially saturated fat, trans fat and dietary cholesterol can contribute to elevated blood cholesterol levels.

What You Can Do
Evidence suggests that narrowing of the arteries can be slowed down, and, in some cases, even reversed, by eating a low-saturated fat, high-fiber diet and by making other lifestyle changes including not smoking, getting regular exercise, and reducing stress levels.



HEART HEALTH GUIDE ARTICLES
• How Your Heart Works
• What's Your Risk for Heart Disease
• Seven Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle
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• All About Plant Sterols
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Promise® SuperShots® for cholesterol and Spreads
Foods containing at least 0.4g per serving of plant sterols eaten twice a day with meals for a total daily intake of at least 0.8 g, as part of a low saturated fat, low trans fat and low cholesterol diet, may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of Promise® SuperShots® provides 2.0g plant sterols. A serving of Promise activ® Spreads provides 1.0g plant sterols.

Promise® SuperShots® for blood pressure is a good source of potassium and low in sodium. Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke

Promise® Buttery Spreads
Promise® Buttery Spread can help maintain a healthy heart when eaten instead of butter or margarine, as part of a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. Promise® Buttery Spread contains 8g total fat and 1.5g saturated fat per serving. It can be used in the preparation of heart healthy recipes when substituted for butter or margarine.

The Promise® website is intended to provide general information for healthy people. If you have heart disease or related conditions, (such as diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure) or if you have questions about your heart health or your health in general, please see your doctor.