Posts Tagged ‘obesity’
-
How to Accurately Predict Your Heart Attack Risk
A new study indicates that hip-to-waist ratio may be a better predictor of heart attack risk than body-mass index, which is the current standard.
BMI Ignores Muscle Mass
The body-mass index, which is based on weight and height, does not measure where fat is on the body or how muscular a person might be. Athletes and completely out-of-shape people can have similar BMI scores. Previous research has demonstrated that a potbelly is a better predictor of heart trouble than total weight.
27,000-Person Study
The new study draws on information collected from over 27,000 people in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, including more than 12,000 who had undergone a heart attack.
The risk of heart attack rose as waist size grew in proportion to hip circumference. The 20 percent of the survey with the highest waist-to-hip size ratio were2.5 times more likely to have heart attacks than the 20 percent with the lowest ratio.
Two-Part Strategy
The finding suggests a two-part strategy: trimming the abdomen, and possibly also increasing hip size by increasing muscle mass. Larger hips might be a marker of overall muscle mass.
USA Today November 3, 2005
Dr. Mercola’s Comment:Three years ago, I ran an article about waist-to-hip measurements as well as body-mass index (BMI) being used as an indicator, not only of obesity, but of thickening carotid arteries.This new study now argues waist-to-hip measurements may better predict the risk of heart attack among different ethnic groups than BMI.
The suggested strategy of trimming your abdominal fat while building your muscle mass makes plenty ofsense.In other words, atwo-prongedapproach in which diet and exercise are equally importantmakes perfect sense.
On the diet side, the best way to get started is to begin retooling your eating habits based on your body’s unique metabolic type.
Just as food is fuel for your body, gas is food for your car. It would seem reasonable to believe that your car is going to thrive on high-quality gas once you put it in your tank. But what if you were driving a diesel-powered vehicle? If that were the case, in a few minutes your car would have serious problems or stop running, and you would have a very expensive repair job ahead of you.
Just like your car, your body was designed for a certain correctfuel mixture — that is, a certain correct blend of the right food types. The further you deviate from this ideal, the more health problems are likely. That is why some of the sickest people I see in my practice are those who are “designed” to be eating high-protein foods but have decided to be vegetarians. Conversely, carb types who choose to eat high amounts of meats also don’t do very well.
If this concept of metabolic typingintrigues you I would encourage you totake my free test that will help you determine the best foods for you.
As far as exercise, you’ll get the most out of it if you treat it like a drug that must be precisely prescribed for you to achieve the maximum benefits. A daily exercise routine is one of the main factors in achieving optimal health.
The key to exercising effectively is to make sure the variables below are properly addressed. By doing so, you will ensure all your hard efforts are not wasted and are having a positive effect on your body. To aid you in your exercise efforts, there are three important variables to keep in mind:
Length of time
Frequency
Intensity
I encourage my patients to gradually increase the amount of time they are exercising to 60 to 90 minutes a day. Initially the frequency is daily; this is a treatment dose until you normalizeyour weight or insulin levels. Once normalized, you will only need to exercise three to four times a week.
You should exercise hard enough so that it is difficult to talk to someone next to you. However, if you cannot carry on a conversation AT ALL, then you have gone too far and need to decrease the intensity. Once you have started to burn fat effectively you can switch to more interesting exercise variations likeDr. Al Sears’ PACE program.
Thisis a combination of bothendurance exerciseand anaerobic typesprinting exercises (weight training will also work) to help increase the instant dramatic demands on your cardiovascular system that can precipitate heart attacks,such asin the winter when you might be shoveling snow.
Dr. Sears has quite a comprehensive program, and I would strongly encourage you to consider reviewing it. I do plan on doing a more comprehensive review on the PACE program sometime in the future.
I’ve devoted many pages on my Web site to the wonderful benefits exercise will do for your health. If you need some direction to get started, I urge you to review my beginner’s exercise page that includes links to other pages and a free table you can download to keep track of your progress.
About the author:
This article is reprinted from Mercola.com, the world’s #1 most visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a limited time only, you can take the FREE “Metabolic Type Test” to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to http://www.mercola.com/forms/mt_test.htm right now to take this quick test!
Written By: Dr. Joseph Mercola
-
The Elimination of Heart Attack – Is it Possible?
Heart disease is the largest killer of Americans — more people in the United States die from diseases of the heart and blood vessels than all other diseases combined. Despite the fact that our country has the best heart hospitals and the finest cardiovascular specialists in the world, the heart attack rate here is not substantially different than the heart attack rate in any other country.
The most common culprit in this deadly scenario is atherosclerosis — premature plaque build up, which clogs the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with vital oxygen and nutrients.
Seventy percent of heart attacks take place in coronary blood vessels that are not severely blocked enough to require balloon, stent, or bypass. These small, unstable plaques that are barely visible at angiography are often the culprit lesions where heart attacks occur.
For one-third of patients with atherosclerosis, death is their first symptom. Another third experience heart attack and almost half of those are dead in one month.
We now have the tests and drugs to abolish coronary heart disease in the first quarter of the 21st century. Lifestyle intervention with exercise, nutrition, weight control, smoking elimination, and stress management would likely reduce by more than 50 percent the expression of premature cardiovascular disease through control of risks such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and the sedentary life.
Fortunately, we are now living in an era blessed by the promulgation of incredible pharmacologic advances that allow us to actually ponder the extinction of atherosclerotic heart attack. Four drug classes now exist that if prescribed appropriately and aggressively could eliminate atherosclerosis. These four classes include: aspirin, statin, ACE and niacin. Heres how they work:
1) Aspirin: The drug inhibits the platelets that form the clot that adheres to the unstable, fractured plaque, which could potentially block blood flow down the coronary artery and cause a heart attack. Research has consistently shown the benefits of aspirin therapy to generally reduce vascular events by about 20 percent for those suspected of having atherosclerosis (Physicians Health Study, 2003).
2) Statin: There are several of these plaque drugs on the market, which are often mistaken for cholesterol drugs. This distinction is important: 30 to 50 percent of patients with atherosclerotic plaque have relatively normal cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that even patients with normal cholesterol profiles have fewer cardiovascular events when taking a statin drug.
3) ACE Inhibitors: These medicines have traditionally been used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure. However, recent trials have shown them to be highly beneficial to those with coronary artery disease even if blood pressure is normal, reducing heart attack death by an additional 26 percent in the heart outcome prevention education. Therefore, the benefits of the ACE inhibitor seem to extend beyond the lowering of blood pressure. This should encourage us to clamor to receive such medication even if our blood pressure is normal.
4) Niacin: The vitamin niacin has long been known to benefit the heart. As early as 1975, the Coronary Drug Project showed that high doses of niacin contributed to a 27 percent reduction in coronary events when compared with placebo.
For prevention to work, each person must take control of their health and proactively take steps towards a healthier heart. A good place to start is by becoming a more informed and educated healthcare consumer. I encourage people to get all the information they can, by talking to their doctor, researching on the Internet, and reading.
Another avenue for education is healthcare seminars. Houston is going to be hosting Cardeo, a consumer education event, Feb. 12 to15, 2004. This Medical Conference & Consumer Expo will bring together an estimated 20,000 healthcare professionals, patients, insurers, vendors and the general public to discuss the complete eradication of heart disease, which is an extremely achievable goal. The event will move the community towards true prevention.
In reality . . . the patient has to be the one to decide to take control and then the healthcare system will move in that direction.
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Written By: ARA
-
Exercise for a Healthy Heart
Do you exercise every day? If you want to live a long, healthy life, maybe you should.
A recent study by Timothy Wessel, a physician at the University of Florida, indicates one of the strongest risk factors for developing heart disease is inactivity even more so than being overweight. During the four-year study of 906 women, Dr. Wessel documented those who were moderately active were less likely to develop heart disease than sedentary women, no matter how much they weighed. The study concluded: These results suggest that fitness may be more
important than overweight or obesity for cardiovascular risk in women.In January, the updated U.S. Dietary Guidelines strongly urged that everyone should take part in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days, above whatever activities they do at home or work. To loose weight or to avoid gaining weight as we age, 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous exercise is recommended. And those who have already lost weight and are attempting to keep weight off need 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise.
A study of 9,611 adults by the University of Michigan Health System, found that people in their 50s and 60s who participated in daily exercise were 35 percent less likely to die within the next eight years than their inactive couch potato counter parts.
Convinced that its time to add exercise to your day?
The Basics — Make Exercise a Life Priority:
- If youre not use to exercising, check with your doctor before beginning any strenuous fitness routine.
- Start slow. If 30 minutes of exercise is too much, start with 15 minutes and add a few minutes each day.
- If you dont have time for 60 minutes of exercise, break it up into two 30-minute sessions throughout the day.
- Schedule a specific time to exercise everyday then keep to your schedule!
- Take part in more intense activities that can improve your heart health, such as: running, dancing, swimming, cycling, and climbing stairs.
- Find exercise that you enjoy. You will be more likely to continue and improve your daily performance if you look forward to a favorite activity.
- Wear proper clothing and footwear. This has two functions. Clothing and shoes that are suited to your activity will enhance performance and offer the right kind of support for your body and feet. They will also place you in a better frame of mind for exercise. When you wear your favorite running outfit and slide into your special running shoes, your mind says its time to get out the door and put my feet in motion!
- Add everyday activities to increase your overall fitness level, such as gardening, housework, walking to the store, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and raking leaves.
- Always drink lots of water.
- If you feel discomfort or pain after an activity, use ice therapy immediately to reduce swelling and numb pain. Always have a cold pack in your freezer, ready and waiting. Most aches and pains attributed to exercise respond well to icing and will melt away within 24 hours after applying ice for several 20-minute sessions. Using cold therapy reduces down time, getting you back on schedule fast. (If the pain does not lessen within 48 hours after using ice therapy, is intense or becomes worse, see your doctor.)
Exercise every daytake care of your heartlive long!
Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious injury
About the Author
About the Author: Louise Roach: health and fitness editor,
marketing specialist, product development consultant. Helps others find pain relief through the use of SnowPack Cold Therapy products. Learn more about the benefits of cold therapy at http://www.snowpackusa.com/ Sign up for *free* health/fitness e-newsletter at: http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash/Written By: Louise Roach
-
What you need to know about heart diseases
Heart is the most significant organ of the body. It controls and regulates the entire body. An individual can survive the loss of other organs of body but not of a heart. The moment heart ceases pumping blood to the body, it results in a heart stroke and there are chances that the person may die.
But people are often negligent in taking care of this undeniably crucial organ of their body. This is made evident by the studies that reveal the escalating deaths due to cardiac arrests every year. It is not just the elderly who are gripped by cardiac seizures due to their age, which implicates a declining health but also young children, and even infants who are inflicted by heart ailments.
The purpose of this article is to make its readers aware of some of the most common cardiac problems, few possible preventions and cures to them and the measures one should adopt to enjoy a healthy heart.
1.Heart diseases- human heart starts malfunctioning due to many reasons. In other words there are different diseases that affect human heart.
Congenital Heart Disease is a very common one. It leads to malformation of heart during prenatal development and other severe complications. Chromosomal abnormalities, transfer of infected genes and environment are the main attributed causes to congenital heart disease.
Coronary Artery Disease is one where heart simply stops pumping blood to the arteries. The blockages or difficulty in the blood flow to the main source of oxygen to the heart muscle i.e. coronary arteries is deemed to be the primary factor that results in this disease. Apart from this the thickening of the arteries called arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure and other problems like asthma, diabetes etc. are the causes of CAD. CAD produces a heart attack and so even the death of the concerned individual.
A viral infection that attacks the pericardium pouch enveloping the heart is the ground for the Pericardial heart disorder.
2.The Roots of Heart Ailment- in most of the cases the individuals themselves are responsible for their cardiac troubles.
Over stress is the biggest threat to a healthy life so much so that it affects even ones heart.
Faulty food habits i.e. eating more of junk and fattening food rich in cholesterol is the primary reason for a heart attack.
Obesity and lack of physical labor also accentuates cardiac problems.
Heart problems are also hereditary.
Blood pressure patients are more prone to heart attacks.
Alcoholics, smokers and drug addicts have acute possibilities of heart failure.
3.Some Common Cures- it is not likely to prevent every heart problem especially those malformations or diseases that are innate or since the time of birth. They can at best be treated with the aid of surgeries.
Watch your eating and drinking habits. Avoid cholesterol abounding food like butter, cheese, creams, cakes and pastries etc.
Aspirin is deemed to be a potential medicine to ward off cardiac snags. According to physicians aspirin thins the blood and aids in its transfer from heart to other parts of the body.
Pregnant women are advised to keep away from hard drinks, cigarettes and narcotics. Negligence in this regard can be a source of incurable congenital heart disease to the baby.
If you are a sedentary worker, make it a point to exercise daily in order to maintain a healthy living.
Endeavor your best to have a nutritious and balanced diet.
If you suffer from diabetes, blood pressure, asthma or any such disease, go for regular medical check ups to know about the functioning of the internal organs of your body.
Last but not the least, avoid doing things that petrify you and do not favor your health. For instance if altitude or great height scares you, it is not a prudent choice to go for mountain climbing.
About the Author
Mansi gupta writes about heart diseases topics.
Written By: Mansi gupta
-
Zeroing in on the Prevention of Heart Disease
More Americans succumb to the effects of heart disease than any other illness. Rated the number one killer, heart-related ailments are brought about by a variety of circumstances some of which are preventable.
The power that each individual has to ensure their own heart health is amazing, when you consider the factors that play a role in the variety of diseases that target the heart. The fact, then, that one out of every twenty people under the age of 40 suffers from some form of heart disease indicates that too many people arent taking their heart health seriously.
Factors such as family medical history, menopause, diabetes mellitus and age (for those over 65) are among the risks that are beyond the control of those who may suffer from heart related ailments.
Those which are within the scope of control include stress, inactivity, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure). By exercising discipline and reducing or eliminating these factors, your chances of heart disease are dramatically decreased.
In addition to the more traditional methods of reducing your risk for such ailments, laughter has also been found to fight heart disease and promote good heart health. Since laughter is a great way to release pent-up stress and tension, this simple act might very well be just what you need to reduce the level of stress that might, otherwise, have a negative impact on your health.
According to recent medical information, its believed that laughter can also help to fortify the lining of the blood vessels, as well as lowering your blood pressure and heart rate.
Believe it or not, tea drinkers also have a decreased risk factor for heart disease. Due to its anti-oxidant properties, this is an ideal beverage especially for those who dont eat the proper amount of fruits and vegetables, which also contain anti-oxidants. This type of beverage, in addition to the fruits and vegetables, are rich in natural anti-oxidants and are, therefore, better for your heart health and overall health profile than supplements.
The bottom line is that, in order to have more control over the health of your heart, there are specific types of behaviors and activities that you can integrate into your daily lifestyle. These include eating a heart-healthy diet, controlling your weight, smoking cessation, controlling diabetes (if present), maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, controlling blood pressure levels, managing stress and participating in a daily exercise program either by taking a class, enrolling in a gym or health spa, or designing an exercise plan that can be executed at home.
A simple stroll around the neighborhood each day will help to control these potential risk factors. Medical professionals prescribe an hour of exercise each day seven days a week.
Of course, regular medical examinations are a necessary part of your health program, and those who are seeking to reduce their risk of heart disease should be screened for those types of ailments on a regular basis.
Early detection can mean the difference between losing your life to heart disease and adding years to your life by taking the necessary measures to restore your heart to good health.
For more detailed information on preventing heart disease and recommended products visit:
http://www.heart-healthy-diet.com
Mike has been helping people protect their health for several years – through exercise and nutrition. The heart and circulation system is the most important, and all good health programs need to start here. Let Mike guide you in getting started. http://www.heart-healthy-diet.com
Written By: Mike Spencer
-
Tips To Help Prevent Heart Disease
You should always keep in mind that whatever actions you do today can either help to prevent, delay or minimize the effect of heart disease or worsen it. The key is to control risk factors. Granted that you cannot control every risk factor for heart disease such as family history but you can definitely do something about your behavior. Age and gender also influence your risk of heart disease. Oral chelation can have a very beneficial effect on reducing your risk of heart disease. Major Risk Factors of Heart Disease
Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol is a type of a lipid, a soft, fat-like substance that serves as a source of fuel. Excessive cholesterol can cause build-up of atherosclerotic plaque. Accumulation of plaque in arteries can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack. LDL cholesterol, the so-called “bad” cholesterol, is transported to sites throughout the body, where it’s used to repair cell membranes or to make hormones. LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of your arteries. HDL cholesterol, the so-called “good” cholesterol, transports cholesterol to the liver, where it’s altered and removed from the body.
Blood Pressure
Normal blood pressure level is defined as less than 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and less than 85 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the more likely it is to take a toll on the heart and on the brain. Blood pressure should be checked whether or not your levels are high. For normal, check once every two years. For high-normal, check once a year. If extremely high, you should get immediate care. Then get multiple measurements to know if a high level is sustained over time.
Diabetes
Another risk factor for heart disease is diabetes, a chronic disease of insulin deficiency or resistance. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, is associated with obesity and may be prevented by maintaining ideal body weight through exercise and balanced nutrition.
Tips For Controlling Risk of Heart Disease
Stop Smoking
The effect of smoking on your lungs can cause almost every other medical condition.
Get Active
Routine physical activity is highly recommended and helpful in controlling obesity. Try to perform 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Fast walking is one of the best way to prevent heart disease. If you can lose even a small amount of weight, five pounds for example, it may have a positive effect on lipid levels and blood pressure preventing heart disease.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Limit daily alcohol intake to three ounces or fewer to prevent heart disease. People who drink large amounts of alcohol (six to eight ounces a day) tend to have higher blood pressure.
Watch What You Eat
Eat five helpings of fruits and vegetables daily to prevent heart disease. Maintain adequate dietary potassium, calcium and magnesium intake. Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol to stay away from heart disease.
Consider using a quality edta or oral chelation product in your diet.
Resources: http://www.edta-oral-chelation-product-reviews.com http://www.oral-chelation-products-reviewed.com
About the Author
Mike has been helping people protect their health for several years. All good health programs start with a healthy heart. Let Mike guide you in getting started. http://www.edta-oral-chelation-reviews.com Mike Spencer http://www.oral-chelation-reviews.com http://www.oral-chelation-blog.com
Written By: Josh Spencer
-
Chocolate and heart health fact or fallacy?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if chocolate and heart health went hand in hand. However, there is so much information lately about the health benefits of chocolate that it is only natural that people get confused.
It is true, that if people only ate pure cocoa, then there might be heart health benefits. The problem is that most people eat processed chocolate bars containing sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, dairy cream not to mention other baddies contained in some of those tasty fillings. Some of these added ingredients can clog up arteries and create havoc to your waistline.
That said, you might be surprised to find out that chocolate isnt all that bad. In fact, the fat content in chocolate, contained in premium grade dark chocolate, is comprised of equal amounts of oleic acid (a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil), stearic and palmitic acids. Stearic and palmitic acids are forms of saturated fat not so good. Saturated fats are linked to increases in LDL-cholesterol and risk of developing heart disease.
Research indicates that stearic acid appears to have a neutral effect on cholesterol; neither raising nor lowering LDL-cholesterol levels. Palmitic acid on the other hand, does affect cholesterol levels but only comprises one-third of the fat calories in chocolate. Therefore, if we base our chocolate eating habits on latest research, the fat issue isnt so worrying.
Beware milk chocolate may not be so heart healthy
As with mist things in life, there is also a down-side to chocolate. When we eat milk chocolate or lower grade chocolate, part of the total fat content comes from milk fat or various other types of fat contained in the processed chocolate, and not from the pure cocoa, which do adversely affect cholesterol levels.
Despite all the good news on cocoa not raising LDL cholesterol, even dark chocolate is a very calorie-dense food, so while the fat content may not invite heart disease or clogging of the arteries, its regular consumption will add a lot of extra calories to someone’s daily total. In fact, many chocolate bars list sugar as the number one ingredient. And as we all know lots of white refined sugar is not going to help you keep your waistline nice and slim. Remember obesity is a serious risk factor for developing heart disease.
Concerning cholesterol, new and yet-to-be-published studies are showing that some antioxidants contained in chocolate, in particular dark chocolate and cocoa powder, may actually increase “good” (HDL) cholesterol levels by as much as 10 percent.
In the studies, the selected people ate 22 grams of cocoa powder and 16 grams of dark chocolate every day The result: Their “bad” (LDL) cholesterol was less susceptible to oxidation, a process that normally leads to artery-clogging plaques. While many people take vitamins and other antioxidants to help prevent plaque development, the study shows that cocoa could help.
In summary, whether chocolate and heart health do walk hand in hand is still an open topic, however, in moderation it wont do your heart any harm, however, watch those calories. Most of all, enjoy it cause it tastes so good!
For more heart health related information visit www.AllAbout-Heart-Disease.com – a site that offers user-friendly articles, tips and advice for avoiding heart disease, getting the edge on risk factors and living your life to the full!
Written By: Nicholas Webb
-
Prevent Heart Disease
Copyright 2005 Mike Spencer
You should always keep in mind that whatever actions you do today can either help to prevent, delay or minimize the effect of heart disease or worsen it. The key is to control risk factors. Granted that you cannot control every risk factor for heart disease such as family history but you can definitely do something about your behavior. Age and gender also influence your risk of heart disease.
Major Risk Factors of Heart Disease
Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol is a type of a lipid, a soft, fatlike substance that serves as a source of fuel. Excessive cholesterol can cause buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. Accumulation of plaque in arteries can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack. LDL cholesterol, the so-called “bad” cholesterol, is transported to sites throughout the body, where it’s used to repair cell membranes or to make hormones. LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of your arteries. HDL cholesterol, the so-called “good” cholesterol, transports cholesterol to the liver, where it’s altered and removed from the body.
Blood Pressure
Normal blood pressure level is defined as less than 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and less than 85 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the more likely it is to take a toll on the heart and on the brain. Blood pressure should be checked whether or not your levels are high. For normal, check once every two years. For high-normal, check once a year. If extremely high, you should get immediate care. Then get multiple measurements to know if a high level is sustained over time.
Diabetes
Another risk factor for heart disease is diabetes, a chronic disease of insulin deficiency or resistance. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, is associated with obesity and may be prevented by maintaining ideal body weight through exercise and balanced nutrition.
Tips For Controlling Risk of Heart Disease
Stop Smoking
The effect of smoking on your lungs can cause almost every other medical condition.
Get Active
Routine physical activity is highly recommended and helpful in controlling obesity. Try to perform 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Fast walking is one of the best way to prevent heart disease. If you can lose even a small amount of weight, five pounds for example, it may have a positive effect on lipid levels and blood pressure preventing heart disease.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Limit daily alcohol intake to three ounces or fewer to prevent heart disease. People who drink large amounts of alcohol (six to eight ounces a day) tend to have higher blood pressure.
Watch What You Eat
Eat five helpings of fruits and vegetables daily to prevent heart disease.
Maintain adequate dietary potassium, calcium and magnesium intake.
Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol to stay away from heart disease.
About the Author
Mike Spencer has been helping people protect their health for many years. To find out how you can help protect your heart and prevent heart disease visit mikes site at: http://www.heart-healthy-diet.com
Written By: Mike Spencer
-
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
-
Childhood Obesity: Your Kids And Heart Disease!
Shockingly, it is estimated that 22 million of the world’s children under 5 are overweight or obese and approximately one in four American children are overweight. The problem this presents is that these children are more susceptible to pediatric hypertension, type II diabetes, greater risk of heart disease, the extra burden of weight on joints, not to mention, the social effects with peers. The medical community has already indicated a surge in childhood diabetes and of the children diagnosed with Type II diabetes, 85% are obese.
Childhood obesity can be caused by a combination of many factors, but certainly two of the biggest contributors are lack of exercise and poor dietary habits.
Today’s youth spend several hours a day in front of televisions and computers. These activities, along with the lack of physical exercise programs at school, are not providing the energy the body requires to burn off calorie intake. Plus, energy levels continue to decline as additional weight is gained, inhibiting the desire to spend the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise (in addition to what the child may receive during school). The benefits to physical exercise are extremely important though as it will reduce the risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, along with reducing or maintaining body weight. Additional benefits include, building healthy muscles, bones and joints and improving depression and over all psychological well-being.
Dietary habits contribute to obesity as well and have changed greatly over time. Due to the busy lifestyles of two income households, the demand for quick and easy microwaveable food, fast food and snack foods have increased drastically. Also, many children are substituting soda and vending machine snacks for school lunches. Unfortunately, most of these types of foods are high in salt, sugar, fat or calories and have low nutrient content.
Bottom line, children look for role models. If they see the adults around them exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet, they will be more apt to do those things as well. Fun family activities could include a walk, a bike ride, playing at the playground and shooting hoops on the basketball court.
A final note, if your child is overweight, consult your doctor. Rare hormonal disorders and/or other medical conditions can be diagnosed with blood tests and medical exams.
About the author:
Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. Find out more about symptoms of heart disease at Risk Factors for Heart Disease or http://www.free-online-health.com
Written By: Ray Kelly
Recommended
Tags
Archives
- November 2008
- July 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
Alexa Rank
- Walk the Talk heart walk/run Sept. 11 - Sheboygan Press
- Coffee can help you live longer, says a recent study - Celebrities With Diseases
- Heart health linked to Brain function - Sky News Australia
- CHC to stay healthy with Happy Heart Run - Battle Creek Enquirer