Have you ever heard of nitric oxide? If not, you’re certainly not alone. But this unique biological molecule is an essential part of cardiovascular system wellness. Several cardiovascular roles of nitric oxide have now been recognized related to blood pressure control as well as atherosclerosis prevention. Plus, there’s also a strong relationship between nitric oxide and cardiac function. Because of this, it’s important to appreciate all the ways nitric oxide influences cardiovascular wellness. And it’s also essential to know how to leverage these effects toward a healthier heart and quality of life.
What Exactly Is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric oxide is essentially a small molecule that is produced by a number of cells in our bodies. This small biological regulator circulates in the blood stream and has effects on a number of different tissues and organs. However, it is predominantly produced by cells lining our arteries and veins. Endothelial cells in these vessels release nitric oxide, which then exerts specific changes related to cardiovascular function. These cardiovascular roles of nitric oxide are important in that they help prevent vascular damage and slow aging. This molecule also helps maintain arterial elasticity and slow hardening of these vessels. Given this, you can appreciate why experts encourage behaviors that promote higher levels of nitric oxide in the body.
How Nitric Oxide Improves Cardiovascular Health
When it comes to this substance, there appears to be 4 different cardiovascular roles of nitric oxide. These mechanisms not only link nitric oxide and cardiac function but also blood vessel responsiveness too. Despite these different effects, each works in concert to boost heart and vascular wellness. This is why cardiovascular experts strongly encourage nitric oxide-promoting behaviors.
- Role #1 – Regulating Vascular Tone
Perhaps the most important cardiovascular roles of nitric oxide relate to its direct influence on blood vessel contraction. When released, nitric oxide tend to cause arteries and veins to dilate, allowing greater circulation to tissues. This permits the body to receive greater oxygen and nutrients while more efficiently getting rid of metabolic byproducts. But this effect on vascular tone does more than improve circulation. It also lowers blood pressure and allows the heart to work less hard. By dilating blood vessels, nitric oxide and cardiac function are indirectly linked as the heart can pump against less resistance. Thus, nitric oxide’s effect on vascular tone is one of its more important actions.
- Role #2 – Regulating Platelet Activity
In addition to blood vessel dilation, cardiovascular roles of nitric oxide also involve platelets. Platelets are blood cells that promote clotting, and small micro-clots can sometimes form and clog arteries. Platelets can also collect and adhere to plaque in arteries, leading to arterial blockage. However, when nitric oxide is around, platelets are less likely to form these clumps or stick to vessel walls. By suppressing platelet activation, nitric oxide again helps optimize circulation to various tissues and organs. This includes the heart, which is another way nitric oxide and cardiac function are linked. Not only does nitric oxide widen blood vessels, but it also helps keep these vessels free of clots.
- Role #3 – Leukocyte Effects
One of the things that occurs more commonly with aging is that of blood vessel wall injury. Blood pressure elevations, atherosclerotic plaque and other inflammatory molecules can damage the lining of these vessels. When this occurs, white blood cells (leukocytes) can come into the area and cause even greater inflammation. Unfortunately, this inflammation can lead to even further injury, causing blood vessels to contract and form atherosclerotic plaque. Understanding this, one of the cardiovascular roles of nitric oxide involves preventing this leukocyte adhesion. When present, white blood cells are less likely to stick to the endothelium of arteries and veins. And as a result, blood vessel inflammation is naturally less. This is another mechanism that links nitric oxide and cardiac function in a favorable way.
- Role #4 – Direct Heart Effects
Many actions of nitric oxide have indirect benefits to cardiac function. But nitric oxide and cardiac function improvements also result from direct effects also. When in the circulation, nitric oxide helps regulate how hard the heart muscle contracts. Lowering blood pressure through arterial dilation helps achieve this to an extent. But at the same time, one of the cardiovascular roles of nitric oxide involves cardiac muscle relaxation as well. This promotes heart health because it reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients needed by the heart. Plus, over time, lower contractility pressure helps deter age-related changes. This too leads to better cardiovascular health and wellness.
Natural Ways to Boost Nitric Oxide
With all the beneficial cardiovascular roles of nitric oxide, it only makes sense to adopt behaviors to boost its levels. Fortunately, there are several activities to help achieve this. It must first be recognized that nitric oxide levels naturally decrease with age. Therefore, healthy behaviors that increase nitric levels become increasingly important over time. Key behaviors include eating a healthy diet and performing regular exercise. Specific foods known to increase nitric oxide levels include things like celery, spinach, arugula, and lettuce. In addition, adequate rest and sleep as well as sufficient water hydration each day also favors higher nitric oxide levels. And believe it or not, nose-breathing also stimulates nitric oxide release. This likely accounts in part for the calming and health benefits of meditation and yoga. These are the key activities you should consider for enhancing nitric oxide and cardiac function.
Investing in Long-Term Cardiovascular Wellness
As you can appreciate, nitric oxide and cardiac function are intimately linked. At the same time, it might also be evident that many of the behaviors that boost nitric oxide have also been known to enhance cardiovascular health. Diet, exercise, sleep, and relaxation techniques have all been associated with lower blood pressure and healthier heart function. It’s simply that nitric oxide is one of the key mechanisms by which these activities help us achieve better wellness. With this in mind, adopting a healthy lifestyle remains your best investment in lasting cardiovascular wellness. In doing so, you’ll not only increase your body’s nitric oxide levels but enjoy better cardiovascular fitness as well.
