Cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of mortality both globally and in Europe.
Romania, unfortunately, is not an exception to this situation, on the contrary, it contributes in a substantial way to its perpetuation. According to the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), in our country, 1 out of 2 people die from a cardiovascular disease, the percentage of this type of mortality being 52%. Almost double the share at EU level (32.7%)!
Why are we here? Because, as the INSP data shows, most of the risk factors for heart disease are at very high values:
· reduced fruit and vegetable consumption = 98%;
· inadequate level of physical activity = 92%;
· overweight and obesity = 59%;
· high cholesterol = 55%;
· episodic abusive alcohol consumption = 35%;
· smoking = 19%;
· arterial hypertension = 16%;
· high blood sugar = 15%.
As can be seen, they are lifestyle factors that can be modified by changing everyday habits and behaviors.
Cardiovascular diseases, preventable in 80% of cases
The seriousness of the data on cardiovascular diseases in Romania is all the more worrying because, according to the World Health Organization, up to 80% of heart attacks and strokes can be prevented. Estimates from the American Heart Association are even more optimistic than that. American experts believe that up to 90% of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through education and sustained action. In other words, by knowing your risk factors and adjusting them.
Throughout this process, modern pharmacies have become an essential support for the community. They are no longer just a place where we take the medicine prescribed by the doctor, but true centers of advice and guidance, where each person can receive personalized advice for maintaining health. That is precisely why, in the case of large networks, such as Catena, pharmacists are enrolled in continuous training programs, to always be up to date with the latest medical information.
Campaigns, testing and information – pharmacies, partners in the fight against cardiovascular diseases
As part of efforts to prevent and combat cardiovascular disease, many pharmacies today provide free blood pressure measurement services. Serious pharmacies go further, running information campaigns to raise awareness of risk factors.
The chain, by the way, has already made a tradition out of the annual editing and distribution of the brochure “A healthy heart loves more!”, a valuable informational material that helps people understand how serious diagnoses and unfortunate events can occur, but especially how they can protect their heart health. They also periodically organize special events in different corners of the country, where, in addition to information and explanations, they also offer free blood glucose testing. In addition, in all of the brand’s more than 950 pharmacies nationwide, there is a “Heart Shelf”, a special place where people can easily find products that help them keep their cardiovascular system functioning well, such as Naturalis’ CardioSuport dietary supplement. It brings together in its formula three of the most titrated natural ingredients with a proven role in supporting the health of the heart and blood vessels: resveratrol, Omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10.
Resveratrol, more than a good antioxidant
In the last decade, resveratrol has become one of the most studied natural compounds for its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Present in the skin of red grapes, berries, and peanuts, this polyphenol works through a series of complex mechanisms that support blood vessel elasticity, reduce vascular inflammation, and improve circulation. Numerous studies have confirmed that resveratrol is not only a powerful antioxidant, but also a fine regulator of cellular processes involved in maintaining heart health.
A study published in Hypertention, for example, showed that resveratrol helps maintain endothelial function and regulate the production of nitric oxide, a substance essential for relaxing blood vessels and controlling blood pressure. Through this mechanism, resveratrol supports blood flow and reduces the risk of hardening of the arteries. In fact, a large meta-analysis, published in Nutrients, confirmed that resveratrol supplementation can help lower systolic blood pressure, an essential factor in the prevention of hypertension and heart disease.
Other research has shown that this compound reduces vascular inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, which is associated with oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease. Similar results were revealed by the analysis recently published in “Frontiers in Pharmacology”, which revealed that resveratrol has measurable anti-inflammatory effects.
In short, through its multiple action – antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective – resveratrol proves to be a valuable support in maintaining the health of the heart and blood vessels. That is why more and more modern supplements, such as Naturalis CardioSuport, include it in formulas dedicated to protecting the cardiovascular system.
Omega-3 fatty acids, essential support for the heart and blood vessels
The heart health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids are among the best documented in the medical literature. Naturally occurring in fatty fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel), flaxseeds, and walnuts, the essential fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) can help regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and maintain blood vessel elasticity.
A large meta-analysis published in the “Journal of the American Heart Association”, which looked at 13 randomized clinical trials, totaling more than 127,000 participants, confirmed the link between supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids of marine origin and a reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular events. The results showed that regular intake of EPA and DHA was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of myocardial infarction and death from coronary heart disease, with a relative reduction of approximately 8%.
The researchers also observed an overall trend toward a decrease in total cardiovascular mortality among people who followed long-term supplementation. The conclusion of the study is clear: Omega-3 fatty acids can play an important role in protecting the heart, especially in people with existing risk factors or a history of cardiovascular disease.
Another study commissioned by the American Heart Association, this time published in the journal “Circulation” showed that Omega-3 fatty acids help lower triglyceride levels and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL), two essential factors in protecting arteries. They also reduce platelet aggregation, decreasing the likelihood of clots forming that can block blood vessels and cause heart attack or stroke.
All this evidence reinforces the importance of including Omega-3 fatty acids in modern prevention strategies, either through nutrition or through trusted supplements, such as Naturalis CardioSuport, which combines Omega-3 with resveratrol and coenzyme Q10 for complex cardiovascular system support.
Coenzyme Q10, natural source of energy for every cell
Naturally present in the body, coenzyme Q10 is an essential substance for the production of energy at the cellular level. With age, its level decreases, which can lead to fatigue, decreased physical endurance and poor heart function. That is why specialists often recommend increasing the intake from external sources.
Moreover, there are conclusive data, results from clinical studies and meta-analyses, which support these recommendations, showing that supplementation with coenzyme Q10 can bring considerable benefits for heart health. For example, a double-blind multicenter study, Q-SYMBIO, conducted in 420 patients with moderate to severe heart failure, reported that the administration of Q10 (100 mg three times daily) for two years, as an adjunct to standard treatment, significantly reduced the frequency of major cardiovascular events (15% vs. 26% in the placebo group). Also, in the group treated with Q10, hospitalization rates for heart failure, cardiovascular mortality (9% vs 16%), but also mortality from all causes were significantly lower.
Another research on heart failure patients showed that Q10 supplementation helps improve the contractile function of the heart by increasing the ejection fraction by approximately +3.67%.
In support of the above are also the conclusions of a recent analysis of 33 other studies, which found significant associations between coenzyme Q10 and:
· reduction of mortality from all causes;
· decrease in the number of hospitalizations for heart failure;
· improving the degree of tolerance to effort
The power of prevention lies in everyday choices
Heart health does not (re)build overnight. It is maintained daily, through simple but consistent habits: exercise, balanced diet, regular medical check-ups and the support of suitable supplements. Prevention is fundamental, and modern pharmacies can help us integrate it into our lifestyle in a natural and sustainable way, providing us with the information and products we need to keep our hearts strong and healthy.
As such, choosing a trusted pharmacy like Catena and a quality supplement like Naturalis CardioSuport means more than a gesture of responsibility towards your own health. It’s a conscious step towards balance, energy and a long-term protected heart.
Sources:
https://insp.gov.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Analiza-de-situatie-BCV-2024.pdf
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.01009
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38958883/
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.119.013543
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.114.015176
https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jchf.2014.07.007
https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jchf.2014.06.008
https://bmccardiovascdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12872-024-04232-z
