Archive for March, 2007
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Heart Attack: Are You At Risk?
If you’re male and you lead an inactive lifestyle you probably have at least 3 risk factors associated with heart disease. I know, I know, you feel fine but so do most people before they have a heart attack. Unfortunately, most people find out they have heart disease the day they are admitted in to hospital, and they are the lucky ones!
Ladies, don’t think this is just something for men to worry about (as it has been in the past). Women, as well as men, are more likely to die of heart disease than of any type of cancer.
This is because of our modern lifestyle. We are working longer hours, so we eat fast food, and there’s no time for exercise. To make matters worse, machines are taking the ‘work’ out of work. We are less active and it’s killing us!
So what are the risk factors for heart disease?
Firstly, there are two types of risk factors: those that can be changed, and those that can’t be changed. It’s important to know that you only need to have 3 of these to be at risk. Each extra risk factor that you have increases your chance of having a heart attack substantially.
Risk factors that can’t be changed:
Heredity: You are at greater risk if your parents, grandparents, brothers, or sisters, have heart disease.
Gender: Men are at greater risk than women, though the risk for women increases after menopause.
Age: As you increase in age, so do your chances of having a heart attack. Once you reach 40 you should have regular check-ups.
Risk factors that can be changed:
Smoking: A smoker is twice as likely than a non-smoker to have a heart attack. It not only places extra strain on the heart and lungs but also makes blood cholesterol stickier, making it easier to block arteries.
High Blood Cholesterol: Cholesterol is produced naturally by the body and is essential to our health. The problem comes when we consume too much in our diet.
High Blood Pressure: Just like with high cholesterol there are no early symptoms. The first most people learn they have this is when it’s at a dangerous level.
Physical Inactivity: If you are inactive, you are more likely to have a heart attack. Even a 10 minute walk each day can make all the difference.
Obesity: If you are obese, you are placing your heart under a great deal of strain even at rest.
I might be at risk, what should I do?
If you think you could be at risk, the first thing you should do is visit your doctor. Secondly, you need to modify your lifestyle. Exercise for at least 10 minutes per day (30 minutes is better but anything is better than nothing!). You also need to eat foods that are low in fat. If you smoke you need to give up.
Even if you don’t have many risk factors it’s a good idea to visit your doctor each year. Some risk factors can change within a short period of time and getting on to them early can make all the difference.
About the Author
Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. Sign up for his free 7 Day Weight Loss Course at Symptoms of Heart Attacks and Diabetes
Written By: Ray Kelly
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6 Power Foods For Your Heart
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Traditionally, a low fat diet has been the prescription for heart health which causes many people to shrink away at the thought of giving up their favorite foods. Although decreasing saturated fats is still an important step, there are many things you can add to your diet that can greatly improve your risk factors of heart disease. Here are 6 power foods you can start adding to your diet to keep you heart healthy.
Nuts- Although nuts aren’t exactly low in calories or fat, they contain high levels of unsaturated fats that are known to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies have shown eating about one ounce of nuts every day can reduce the risk of heart disease by 30%.
Soy- Using soy on a weekly basis is a great step towards protecting your heart due to its cholesterol lowering properties. If you are not a tofu fan, try soy milk or yogurt, garden burgers, edamme (soy beans), or soy sausage patties. There are all kinds of ways to include soy in your diet.
Hot Cocoa- Yes you read right. Cocoa contains high levels of flavonoids which are a class of phytochemicals known to help prevent heart disease. Researchers have found that hot cocoa has more disease-fighting antioxidants than tea or red wine and the heat may help propel them into the bloodstream. Hot cocoa is also much lower in saturated fats than other chocolate sources such as candy bars.
Beans and Lentils- including kidney beans, peas, black beans, etc. —are high in both soluble fiber and folic acid to help lower cholesterol and decrease homocysteine levels (high homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease). Add beans to your salads, soups, and rice dishes.
Broccoli- A powerful antioxidant found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts may help protect the heart from high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. A new study shows the compound, called glucoraphanin, helped improve heart health, fight inflammation, and boost natural defense systems against oxidative stress.
Grape juice- The flavonoids in grape juice, like that in wine, have been shown to prevent the oxidation of so-called bad cholesterol (LDLs, or low-density lipoproteins) that leads to formation of plaque in artery walls. Grape juice can also lower the risk of developing the blood clots that lead to heart attacks.
Start adding these foods today and begin your journey to better heart health.
About the Author
Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She specializes in weight management and cardiovascular nutrition and offers online programs to help people reach their health goals. For more information visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com.
Source:
Written By: Meri Raffetto
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Are You On A Bullet Train To Heart Attack City?
“It just can’t be true!” I said. “Why have they been telling us this? You can’t believe anyone anymore.” Here’s the story. For more than two decades we’ve had it drummed into our heads that high cholesterol causes heart attacks and of course the major cause of the high cholesterol has been the high saturated fat that most of us love so much.
Drug companies spend millions to convince us (and our doctors) that if we lower our cholesterol…with Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor or Vytorin of course, then we’ll live happily ever after.
If high cholesterol is the villain then why do half of all heart attacks happen to people with normal or low cholesterol–and two out of three occur without major artery blockages? You can have cholesterol below 200, LDLs under 100 and still have dangerous “silent” plaque deposits growing day-by-day inside artery walls.
Cholesterol and saturated fat have gotten a bad rap. New research is showing that the primary cause of heart disease is NOT too much “bad” cholesterol. There are several more dangerous risk factors for a heart attack. One of these is the smoldering inflammation that causes the cholesterol in our arteries to turn rancid and clog our arteries.
Dr. Nicholas Perricone says this in The Perricone Prescription. “I was always eager to challenge traditional thinking and I noticed that every time I looked at disease under a microscope–everything from arthritis to heart disease–inflammation was a component.”
Perricone’s research focused on finding the causes of this inflammation and how to stop it. What he discovered might surprise you as it did me.
Simple carbohydrates such as sugar and white flour (as a sweet-o-holic it pains me greatly to write this) are very inflammatory–and there is also strong evidence that they are the underlying cause of weight gain.
How can we tell if our bodies are full of inflammation? A simple blood test measures the amount of C-reactive protein (CRP) in our blood. More than a dozen clinical studies have shown that people with high levels of CRP are at greater risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.
How can we stop this inflammation? We need to cut way back on the sugar and other refined products and eat more cold-water fish, omega-3 oils and extra virgin olive oil. We also need a high quality natural vitamin with optimum amount of antioxidants. A one-a-day vitamin just doesn’t do the job.
Exercise also dramatically reduces the amount of inflammation in the blood. A study at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas compared the amount of CRP in people with varying levels of fitness. Those with the highest fitness levels had nearly a 300% lower risk of having a heart attack than those at the lowest fitness levels.
Do you want to live a vigorous, healthy and mentally sharp life? Most of us know what to do but just don’t do it. Now is the time to make those changes we’ve been putting off. A heart attack isn’t as much fun as you might think.
About the Author
Written By: Gene Millen – www.VitalHeart.Info
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What do the French know to help your heart?
Does red wine protect against heart disease? Maybe. Many studies investigated the benefits of red wine suggested that moderate amount of red wine (one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men) lowers the risk of heart attack for people in middle age by 30 to 50 percent. It is also suggested that alcohol such as red wine may prevent additional heart attacks if you already have suffered from one. The compounds found in red wine that are responsible for its healing powers are antioxidants. Red wines contain several antioxidants beneficial to good health. Different antioxidants have different functions, but the key feature of all these antioxidants appears to be one of protection and prevention of disease.
Other studies also indicated that red wine can raise HDL cholesterol (the Good cholesterol) and prevent LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) from forming. Red wine may help prevent blood clots and reduce the blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits. Indeed, studies showed that people from the Mediterranean region who regularly drank red wine have lower risks of heart disease.
Here is something very interesting. The French seem to know something about the health benefits of red wine. In a study that compared French and German red wines, the French red wines delivered a greater health benefit due to their higher level of antioxidants. This may partially account for the French paradox, where studies show that in areas of France where the diet is high in fat those who drink red wine with meals have a lower incidence of heart attack than other parts of the world. Due to vast differences in diets, the evidence is inconclusive, but experts believe that red wine contains certain compounds that help protect the heart. This has opened the door for other researchers to study the components in red wine that may be responsible for its health benefits.
Researchers at Northwestern University Medical School have found that a chemical in red wine believed to help reduce risk for heart disease is a form of estrogen. The substance, resveratrol, is highly concentrated in the skin of grapes and is abundant in red wine. Resveratrol protects grapes and some other plants against fungal infections. It has been shown previously to have a number of potentially beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.
Should I start drinking more red wine now? The answer is no. Studies showed that alcohol drinking may increase triglycerides (another bad blood lipids) and result in weight gain due to its empty calories. Other studies also suggested that alcohol consumption is associated with cancer risk. The American Heart Association cautions people NOT to start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol.
Interested on this subject? Try this link for more of the same
About the author:
Written By: Dennis Miller
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Keep Your Heart Healthy
Heart disease is the number one killer today. Men and women are both likely to become victims. Men typically suffer more heart attacks, but women’s can be deadlier, so it is important for both genders to monitor their heart health by making a number of simple lifestyle adjustments.
1. Eat smart. The American Heart Association and other health organizations, as well, publish guidelines for sensible diets that promote heart health. Get a copy at their website or ask your doctor to recommend a diet for you. Typically, you should try to limit your consumption of red meat to perhaps a few ounces once or twice a week. Cook chicken and fish in casserole dishes instead, and experiment with vegetable recipes to try new and exciting variations. Don’t forget the raw veggies with low-fat dip and fresh fruits for desserts or snacks.
2. Watch your fluid intake. Most of us don’t drink enough water each day. Unless you have special medical restrictions, aim to have eight glasses (eight ounces each) of water daily. In addition, you can drink other beverages, but avoid sugary, nutrition-less products like pop or sweetened fruit juice. One or two cups of tea or coffee are probably all right, but keep in mind that caffeine can dehydrate you and make you jittery, so limit your intake.
3. Get daily exercise. Your doctor can recommend a hobby, routine, or workout that will benefit your physique and health. Walking at a moderate pace for 30 to 60 minutes daily is a great way to incorporate aerobic activity in your lifestyle, tone muscles, and enhance your metabolism. Your circulation will thank you, too, as it becomes more efficient at pumping blood through your body and breaking up plaque buildup in your arteries, thus allowing your heart to pump more easily. Just be sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and don’t overdo it. Let your doctor know if you experience shortness of breath or painful limbs.
4. Learn to manage stress. Everyone experiences stressful events throughout their day. From getting up late to missing the train or having an argument with a family member, stress is all around us. We just have to learn to keep conflict and disappointments in check by reminding ourselves of the blessings and joys that surround us, often unnoticed. You may want to keep a journal to write about negative feelings instead of keeping them bottled up inside, where they may eventually explode.
In addition, cultivate a good support group of friends, family members, and social contacts. Get out and have fun. Meet new people and discover new ideas. Life will become more enjoyable, and your heart will benefit from your upbeat attitude. Consider volunteering in your community to make a difference in the lives of others. As you make new connections and continue to nurture old ones, you will feel healthier and benefit from a positive lifestyle.
About the author:
Get valuable information for your heart at The Heart Directory at http://www.heartdir.com
Written By: Charles Kassotis
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Food that’s good for a healthy heart
Here’s a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Several have emerged in recent years, but the one that stands out the most is inflammation.
The latest studies suggest that chronic inflammation of the lining of arteries is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. What causes this inflammation is not clear, but the good news is that (1) the advice that is given for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides also works fine for fighting inflammation; and (2) you can tackle all 4 culprits with the help of dietary weapons – http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/nutrients.htm In fact, you can plan your war against heart disease in your kitchen. Here is how:
1. Think like an artist when you choose fruits and vegetables: Eat those with the brightest colors. They have the most heart protective antioxidant pigments. A diet high in fruits and veggies also provides another important heart benefit, salicylic acid, which is the same anti-inflammatory compound created when aspirin is broken down in the body.
2. Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.
3. Reduce the amount of meats you eat, especially red meats, and always select lean cuts. Use meat as a seasoning for vegetable dishes rather than the focal point of a meal.
4. Cut down on salt and instead use herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric and fenugreek liberally in your cooking; the first three are naturally anti-inflammatory and the last has soluble fibre which helps sweep away cholesterol from the arteries.
5. Shift to groundnut, mustard, rice bran and olive oils which contain monosaturated fatty acids that help lower (bad) LDL and maintain levels of (good) HDL cholesterol. Drastically limit margarine, vegetable shortening, butter and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils.
6. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (wheat, brown rice, oats), beans and pulses, are also great sources of soluble and insoluble fibre, which trap LDLs and usher them out of the body.
Get helpful information on vitamins, amino acids, herbs, minerals and other nutrients for a healthier life – http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/.
If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website
Written By: Nitin Jain
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