What You Need to Know About Hardening of the Arteries

By Paul Bernitt, DHH, TriVita Director of Wellness Services

Have you ever heard of calcification in arteries? It’s a process in which calcium builds up in your blood vessels, making them stiff and narrow. This condition, also known as hardening of the arteries, can sneak up on you—often without symptoms—until it causes serious health problems like heart attacks or strokes. But there’s good news: with the right lifestyle changes and science-backed supplements like TriVita’s Vitamin K2 Complete, along with other lifestyle efforts, you may be able to reduce the incidence of calcification and even reverse it.

Understanding Hardening of the Arteries

The arteries are like highways, carrying blood rich with oxygen and nutrients to your vital organs and every body part. Over time, calcium deposits can form in the walls of these arteries, making them stiff and less able to carry blood efficiently— without you even knowing it.

Several lifestyle factors contribute to this condition:

Poor Diet: Diets high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed foods can damage artery walls.
Lack of Exercise: Sedentary lifestyles reduce circulation, promoting plaque buildup.
Chronic Conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity increase risk.
Smoking: The chemicals in tobacco damage blood vessel walls, accelerating calcification.
Aging: As we age, arteries naturally lose flexibility, increasing calcification likelihood.

Why Hardening of the Arteries Is Dangerous

When arteries become calcified, the heart must work harder to pump blood through them, leading to high blood pressure and fatigue. Over time, this extra strain on the heart increases the risk of:

Heart Attacks: Blocked arteries prevent oxygen from reaching the heart.
Strokes: Reduced blood flow to the brain can cause life-altering damage.
Poor Circulation: Cold hands and feet, fatigue, and pain can result from reduced blood flow.

As the Bible says in Proverbs 4:23, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (NLT). Protecting your arteries is one way to guard your heart — both physically and spiritually.

The Science Behind Preventing and Reversing Calcification

Here’s the good news: calcification is not an irreversible condition. You may be able to protect your arteries and even reverse early damage with the right nutrients and lifestyle habits.

Vitamin K helps stop calcium buildup in blood vessels by activating special proteins called matrix Gla proteins. These proteins depend on Vitamin K to activate and prevent calcium deposits from forming. This means Vitamin K can reduce cardiovascular risk and even reverse calcification. ¹ TriVita’s K2 Complete provides three forms of Vitamin K — K1 (Phytonadione) and K2 [Menaquinone-4 (MK4) and Menaquinone-7 (MK7)] — for optimal arterial protection.

The Role of Lifestyle in Arterial Health

Supplements work best when paired with a healthy lifestyle. Here’s how to support your arteries:

Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on whole, plant-based foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity daily to improve circulation.
Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration helps your blood flow more efficiently.
Pray and Reflect: Stress contributes to heart issues. Take time to pray, read Scripture, and focus on God’s peace.

Romans 12:1 reminds us, “...offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (NIV). Caring for our physical health is an act of worship that honors our Creator.

Why TriVita's K2 Complete Works

TriVita’s K2 Complete contains all three forms of Vitamin K, which work together to help reduce calcification, enhance bone strength, and support overall cardiovascular function.

A Hopeful Heart

Just as God gives us a new heart spiritually through Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 36:26), we have tools to care for our physical hearts. Through healthy living, relying on God’s wisdom, and supplementing with TriVita’s K2 Complete , you can strengthen your arteries and live a fuller, healthier life.

Take the First Step Today

TriVita’s K2 Complete is scientifically formulated to support cardiovascular and bone health. Visit TriVita.com today to take the first step toward healthier arteries. May you find joy in taking steps toward a healthier you!