Prevention and continuous monitoring are key
The key to longevity and good cardiovascular health is flexible, unobstructed arteries, maintained by living a healthy lifestyle and managing stress. Prevention and early detection are critical.
When cardiovascular disease is present, continuous monitoring is necessary along with adherence to life-saving therapies that can drastically reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, or another one. The aim is to avoid major acute events, which can lead to premature mortality.
Plaque rupture & heart attack
The plaque is made up of hard and soft plaque. The hard plaque is calcified, meaning it is stiffer and more inflexible. Whereas the soft plaque is made up of fatty deposits and inflammatory cells, making it unstable and more likely to rupture.
If the soft plaque ruptures – typically due to intense exercise, high blood pressure, or emotional distress – this can cause bleeding within the artery, and then a blood clot can form.
This blood clot prevents the passage of fresh oxygenated blood from reaching the heart's muscles, which perform the pumping function of the heart. If these heart muscles are without blood for enough time, they can start to die, leaving permanent scarring and loss of function in the heart or brain. If the heart is left without oxygen for long enough (10-12 minutes), the body can go into cardiac arrest, leading to death.
This is why the key to cardiovascular health is keeping your arteries clean and healthy by following good lifestyle habits, and continuously monitoring your cardiovascular health.
Plaque build-up
When the inner lining of the coronary arteries is inflamed, it makes cholesterol-based plaque more likely to stick to it. The plaque builds up both within and on the inner lining of the artery.
As time goes, this plaque buildup makes the arteries stiffer and more narrow, thereby reducing blood flow.
As the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the stiffer and more narrow arteries, it puts strain on the heart. This weakens the heart over time and increases the risk of heart failure.
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Inflammation: How it starts
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) starts with inflammation in the inner lining of the coronary arteries.
Typically it's caused by poor diet, insufficient exercise, smoking, diabetes, excess alcohol consumption, stress, or lack of sleep.
Those with a genetic predisposition are more inclined to develop CVD and suffer a heart attack. Thus, they must be even more conscientious.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally (~20.5m deaths per year)
World Health Organization
Over 80% of CVD deaths are caused by heart attack or stroke
World Health Organization
Main lifestyle drivers of heart attack and stroke are:
(1) unhealthy diet
(2) physical inactivity
(3) tobacco/nicotine use
(4) obesity/diabetes
World Health Organization
By identifying CVD at the early stages, patients receive timely treatment & avoid acute events/premature death
With CVD present, continuous monitoring is critical combined with the right therapies that will prolong life and help avoid a(nother) acute event
To reduce CVD risk,
WHO recommends:
(1) Stop tobacco use
(2) Eat more fruits & veg
(3) Exercise regularly
(4) Manage stress
(5) Sleep better
(6) Manage weight/blood sugar
How it Works
Prevent
Screen for the development of cardiovascular health problems using novel biomarkers at the earliest stages – allowing for preemptive intervention or lifestyle changes to improve quality of life
Continuously Monitor
For existing chronic conditions, continuously monitor your CV and metabolic health, track trends and receive immediate notifications if timely attention is required
Improve
Monitor your key lifestyle factors that impact cardiovascular and metabolic health, – such as diet, exercise, sleep, stress and smoking –– and track changes over time, thereby improving and extending life
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Why We Built It
We designed our own wearable device so we could accurately and consistently measure the biomarkers that really matter when it comes to critical heart and vascular health issues