Dyerberg and group in 1978 reported in the Lancet, a health paradox that they noted in the Greenland Eskimos. The Eskimos, despite a high-fat diet, had a low rate of coronary heart disease. The researchers postulated that a protective effect was provided by the fatty oils present in their diet, rich in meat from seals, caribou and fish. Since then, this inverse relationship between fish intake and cardiovascular disease has become well established.
Fish oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Along with omega-6 fatty acids, they are called polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Both of these fatty acids cannot be synthesized by humans and are therefore considered 'essential'. Besides fish, omega-3 fatty acids are also found in walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, broccoli, cantaloupe, kidney beans, spinach, grape leaves, Chinese cabbage, and cauliflower. Two omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are health and heart protective. A third kind, alpha-linolenic acid, is less potent. Omega-6 fatty acids are detrimental to heart health, and have been associated with depression. Omega-6 fatty acids are abundant in refined vegetable oils commonly used for cooking.
What is the link between fish oil intake and cardiovascular disease protection?
Several studies have shown an inverse relationship between fish consumption and coronary heart disease and death. In the DART study, 2003 men with a previous history of a heart attack were divided into two groups and monitored - one group had an increased fish oil consumption, either by diet or by supplementation compared to the other group, The increased fish oil group had a 29% reduction in death. Studied by Burr and group, this data was published in Lancet in 1989.
In a large GISSI-Prevenzione trial, 11,324 patients with a history of a heart attack were randomly assigned into groups; each group was given either 850 mg omega-3 fatty acid, 300 mg vitamin E, both, or neither. The results showed that the group given the fatty acid alone had a 45% reduction in sudden death and a 20% reduction in all-cause mortality. This was published in Lancet in 1999.
In a review of 11 studies, Markmann and Granbaek found that in populations at a higher risk of coronary heart disease, intake of 40-60 grams of fish per day could reduce the risk of death by 40%-60%. They published their data in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1999.
How do omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease?
Fish oils lower blood pressure and serum triglyceride levels. They also have anti-arrhythmic, anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. They also improve endothelial function. All these effects protect against heart attacks from coronary heart disease and sudden death due to an irregular heart rhythm.
How much omega-3 fatty acids do you need?
It is recommended that the daily intake of omega-3 fatty acid be 2.85 g/day. Healthy marine sources are fresh tuna, sardines, salmon, herring, trout and oysters. Fish should be grilled, baked, or broiled -- not fried. Fried fish loses all of its benefits. This lack of benefit from fried fish was documented by Mozaffarian in the Cardiovascular Health Study published in Circulation in 2003. As noted earlier, omega-3 fatty acids are also found in walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, broccoli, cantaloupe, kidney beans, spinach, grape leaves, Chinese cabbage, and cauliflower. Recently, omega-3 fatty acid enriched eggs have become available in the supermarkets and can help meet the daily requirements. If one is unable to eat enough fish or other food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil supplementation should be considered. The usual amount is 1 gm EPA and DHA per day, although your physician may recommend higher doses in certain situations.
Is fish safe?
Fish at the top of the food chain often contain significant levels of methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and other environmental contaminants. These include mackerel, shark, swordfish, and tile fish (golden bass or golden snapper). The FDA advises pregnant women, women wanting to become pregnant, nursing mothers and children to avoid these fish as they may be at an increased risk of mercury intoxication.
Are fish oils safe?
In general, most fish oils sold over the counter in the USA are safe. The FDA in 1997 indicated that the consumption of up to 3 g EPA + DHA/day from all sources is safe for American adults. Fish oils do not interact with other drugs and usually have no side effects. Fishy aftertaste can be lessened by keeping the supplements in the freezer. Rarely nausea, bloating and belching can occur. Excessive intake may cause bleeding. There is only one FDA approved fish oil preparation in the USA. It is available by prescription under the trade name of Omacor. Because of a patented refining process, toxins such as mercury are completely removed, It also has more PUFAs - 90% compared with 60% in some commercially available products. This makes Omacor more reliable and efficacious.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD
Friday, November 7, 2008
Low Testosterone Levels - A Marker For Increased Cardiovascular Mortality
Testosterone is predominantly produced by the testes in men. Small quantities are produced by the ovaries in women. The adrenal glands also produce small amounts in both sexes. Testosterone plays a key role in sexual functioning. Besides helping in the production of sperms, this steroid hormone also enhances libido, increases energy, helps produce red blood cells and protects against osteoporosis. Testosterone is an androgen and an anabolic steroid.
The blood levels of testosterone vary over a wide range. Testosterone levels gradually start declining during the third or early fourth decade of life at a constant rate. As a result, older men have significantly lower levels compared to their younger counterparts. Testosterone levels may also be low due to several diseases. The cutoff number is 250 ng/dL, levels below these are considered low.
What is the connection between testosterone and heart disease?
Low testosterone levels have been associated with increased risk of development and death from cardiovascular disease. In a recent study by Laughlin and associates, men with low levels and in the lowest quartile were 40% more likely to die early, especially from cardiovascular diseases. These findings were unaffected by age, lipid levels and other risk factors. The study involved 794 men aged 50-91 years, who were monitored for 20 years. The study was published in 2008 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
In 2007, results of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer in Norfolk Study were published in Circulation. In this study, Khaw and associates monitored 11,000 patients aged 40-79 for their testosterone levels and death. They found that the latter were inversely related - low testosterone levels correlated with a higher rate of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer and all other causes.
In another study, Shores and colleagues, found that low testosterone levels were associated with an increased risk for mortality in male veterans. The male population was over 40 years of age and did not have prostate cancer. The study was done in Seattle and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006.
How does low testosterone cause cardiovascular disease?
The exact mechanism by which low testosterone causes cardiovascular disease is not clear, but there are several postulated mechanisms . Patients with low testosterone levels tend to have more visceral obesity. Visceral obesity is responsible for the apple shaped body (as compared to the pear shaped body, in which the fat is predominantly deposited in the hips and buttocks). More commonly, this is called the 'pot belly' or 'beer belly'. The visceral fat is packed in between the internal organs in the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity). In contrast the subcutaneous fat is found under the skin and the intramuscular fat in the skeletal muscle. Visceral fat is more metabolically active and synthesizes more heart unhealthy fatty acids, triglycerides, and adipokines than nonvisceral fat. Low testosterone is also associated with the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. In a study published in 2007, men in the lowest levels of testosterone were four times more likely to develop diabetes when compared to men with the highest levels. This data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was published by Selvin and group in Diabetes Care. Patients with low testosterone levels have higher levels of insulin and triglycerides, both detrimental to the cardiovascular system.
Should you take testosterone to reduce heart disease?
There has been no scientific study in which testosterone replacement has been found to reduce heart disease. A study has just not been done. However, English and associates found that in patients with established coronary artery disease, testosterone replacement reduced exercise induced chest pain. This data was published in the European Heart Journal in 2000.
Summary
Testosterone is a predominantly male hormone produced by the testis and adrenals. It is responsible for libido in both sexes and the production of sperms in the male. It is also associated with increased energy, production of red cells and prevention of osteoporosis. Testosterone levels normally decline with age, with older men having a much lower levels than their younger counterparts. Low testosterone levels have been linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality, and death from all causes. There is no published research on whether taking supplemental testosterone will reduce cardiovascular disease and death.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD
The blood levels of testosterone vary over a wide range. Testosterone levels gradually start declining during the third or early fourth decade of life at a constant rate. As a result, older men have significantly lower levels compared to their younger counterparts. Testosterone levels may also be low due to several diseases. The cutoff number is 250 ng/dL, levels below these are considered low.
What is the connection between testosterone and heart disease?
Low testosterone levels have been associated with increased risk of development and death from cardiovascular disease. In a recent study by Laughlin and associates, men with low levels and in the lowest quartile were 40% more likely to die early, especially from cardiovascular diseases. These findings were unaffected by age, lipid levels and other risk factors. The study involved 794 men aged 50-91 years, who were monitored for 20 years. The study was published in 2008 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
In 2007, results of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer in Norfolk Study were published in Circulation. In this study, Khaw and associates monitored 11,000 patients aged 40-79 for their testosterone levels and death. They found that the latter were inversely related - low testosterone levels correlated with a higher rate of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer and all other causes.
In another study, Shores and colleagues, found that low testosterone levels were associated with an increased risk for mortality in male veterans. The male population was over 40 years of age and did not have prostate cancer. The study was done in Seattle and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006.
How does low testosterone cause cardiovascular disease?
The exact mechanism by which low testosterone causes cardiovascular disease is not clear, but there are several postulated mechanisms . Patients with low testosterone levels tend to have more visceral obesity. Visceral obesity is responsible for the apple shaped body (as compared to the pear shaped body, in which the fat is predominantly deposited in the hips and buttocks). More commonly, this is called the 'pot belly' or 'beer belly'. The visceral fat is packed in between the internal organs in the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity). In contrast the subcutaneous fat is found under the skin and the intramuscular fat in the skeletal muscle. Visceral fat is more metabolically active and synthesizes more heart unhealthy fatty acids, triglycerides, and adipokines than nonvisceral fat. Low testosterone is also associated with the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. In a study published in 2007, men in the lowest levels of testosterone were four times more likely to develop diabetes when compared to men with the highest levels. This data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was published by Selvin and group in Diabetes Care. Patients with low testosterone levels have higher levels of insulin and triglycerides, both detrimental to the cardiovascular system.
Should you take testosterone to reduce heart disease?
There has been no scientific study in which testosterone replacement has been found to reduce heart disease. A study has just not been done. However, English and associates found that in patients with established coronary artery disease, testosterone replacement reduced exercise induced chest pain. This data was published in the European Heart Journal in 2000.
Summary
Testosterone is a predominantly male hormone produced by the testis and adrenals. It is responsible for libido in both sexes and the production of sperms in the male. It is also associated with increased energy, production of red cells and prevention of osteoporosis. Testosterone levels normally decline with age, with older men having a much lower levels than their younger counterparts. Low testosterone levels have been linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality, and death from all causes. There is no published research on whether taking supplemental testosterone will reduce cardiovascular disease and death.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD
Monday, November 3, 2008
Ways to Lower High Cholesterol Levels
Today, heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. High blood cholesterol levels present a significant risk factor for heart problems. Researchers estimate that 17% of our population has cholesterol levels in the danger zone.
Although the human body needs a certain amount of cholesterol, the liver manufactures all the cholesterol required by the body. In addition, cholesterol enters the body through ingestion of certain foods. Since the body cannot use this excess cholesterol, it is deposited on the walls of the arteries. Here the deposits harden and build up resulting in plaque.
The passages through which blood and oxygen are transported become narrow due to this accumulation of fatty deposits. The result is less blood and oxygen reach the heart and the brain. This situation is conducive to heart attacks and strokes.
Excessively high cholesterol levels are linked to two factors. One is the rate at which the body produces cholesterol. This is beyond the control of the individual. The other factor is the type of food a person eats. This is very much under individual control.
People can lower their cholesterol to healthy levels by making certain lifestyle changes.
It is important to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, you should make every effort to drop the extra pounds. This is particularly important if you are carrying the weight on your belly or waistline.
It is also important to lose the weight sensibly. Do not opt for fad diets or pills. Try to lose slowly but steadily and not more than a pound per week. This will make it easier to keep the weight off once you accomplish your goal.
Make exercise a regular part of your daily routine. You don't have to join a gym or buy expensive equipment. A thirty-minute walk each day will do the trick. If you find walking boring, invest in some music and try dancing thirty minutes a day. This is also a good alternative for bad weather days.
Be careful about your diet. Avoid or limit foods that are high in saturated fats. Use monosaturated-cooking oils such as olive oil or canola oil.
Avocados, walnuts and almonds are good sources of heart healthy fats, however, if you have a weight problem, keep the servings small.
Definitely avoid foods that contain trans fats. To do this you must read your labels carefully. Even if the label reports 0 trans fat, read the ingredient list. If it includes the word "hydrogenated", don't buy the product.
Select lean meats and low fat or fat free dairy products.
Choose high fiber foods, fruits and fresh vegetables.
Opt for whole-wheat grains over refined flour products.
Try to eat heart healthy fish at least once a week. Alaska wild salmon and mackerel are excellent choices.
Talk to your health care provider about supplements such as Omega 3 oils, flaxseed, and COQ10.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Williams
Although the human body needs a certain amount of cholesterol, the liver manufactures all the cholesterol required by the body. In addition, cholesterol enters the body through ingestion of certain foods. Since the body cannot use this excess cholesterol, it is deposited on the walls of the arteries. Here the deposits harden and build up resulting in plaque.
The passages through which blood and oxygen are transported become narrow due to this accumulation of fatty deposits. The result is less blood and oxygen reach the heart and the brain. This situation is conducive to heart attacks and strokes.
Excessively high cholesterol levels are linked to two factors. One is the rate at which the body produces cholesterol. This is beyond the control of the individual. The other factor is the type of food a person eats. This is very much under individual control.
People can lower their cholesterol to healthy levels by making certain lifestyle changes.
It is important to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, you should make every effort to drop the extra pounds. This is particularly important if you are carrying the weight on your belly or waistline.
It is also important to lose the weight sensibly. Do not opt for fad diets or pills. Try to lose slowly but steadily and not more than a pound per week. This will make it easier to keep the weight off once you accomplish your goal.
Make exercise a regular part of your daily routine. You don't have to join a gym or buy expensive equipment. A thirty-minute walk each day will do the trick. If you find walking boring, invest in some music and try dancing thirty minutes a day. This is also a good alternative for bad weather days.
Be careful about your diet. Avoid or limit foods that are high in saturated fats. Use monosaturated-cooking oils such as olive oil or canola oil.
Avocados, walnuts and almonds are good sources of heart healthy fats, however, if you have a weight problem, keep the servings small.
Definitely avoid foods that contain trans fats. To do this you must read your labels carefully. Even if the label reports 0 trans fat, read the ingredient list. If it includes the word "hydrogenated", don't buy the product.
Select lean meats and low fat or fat free dairy products.
Choose high fiber foods, fruits and fresh vegetables.
Opt for whole-wheat grains over refined flour products.
Try to eat heart healthy fish at least once a week. Alaska wild salmon and mackerel are excellent choices.
Talk to your health care provider about supplements such as Omega 3 oils, flaxseed, and COQ10.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Williams
Help to Ease Blood Pressure Problems With Self Hypnosis
You can use your own mind for blood pressure help and support. Self-hypnosis can guide you to reduce hypertension naturally. The first step is to discover whether you have the condition in the first place. There are no red flags to indicate that you have hypertension, so you may need to take tests.
Testing for Hypertension
You can take some tests to see if you need support and assistance. Your physician can take a urine test to see if there is blood or protein in your urine. An ECG (electrocardiogram) can measure heart activity. You can have your blood tested for sugar and cholesterol levels. Your physician may check to see if your kidneys are functioning properly as well.
If you think that you need to help blood pressure improve, these tests are necessary. They help your physician rule out any underlying illnesses like kidney disease. The tests check for diabetes and high cholesterol and they determine if the heart has been damaged.
The Problem with Symptoms
The major problem with the symptoms of hypertension is that there really aren't any. The condition is insidious in nature and you can have problems with hypertension without knowing it. Regular check-ups with your physician are necessary to assure that you manage your condition.
Having no symptoms does not mean that the condition doesn't cause problems in your system. Cardiovascular disease, kidney damage and damaged arteries can result from this condition.
Blood Pressure Help
Diet and exercise along with drinking lots of water are common suggestions for natural approaches to deal with hypertension. You also want to avoid excessive stress because the stressful feelings have physical ramifications. If your trouble is serious, your physician may prescribe medication.
You can improve your hypertension by using self-hypnosis as a complementary approach. This strategy makes sense for a number of reasons and you can benefit greatly from adopting hypnosis into your treatment plan. You will feel the difference right away.
Benefits of Self-Hypnosis
You can control how your body responds to stressful situations by changing your thought patterns through the subconscious mind. This process also provides the necessary relaxation you need on a regular basis. Many people do not take time to meditate or calm their systems.
When you undergo hypnosis, you are more open to suggestion. This makes you more apt to follow your physician's orders. You are more likely to make the necessary changes in your diet and exercise routine when you use hypnosis as a guide.
Self-hypnosis puts you in the frame of mind that you need in order to overcome hypertension. As you adopt new thought patterns that are conducive to relaxation and healthy living, your medication will work better. Eventually, you find that you may not need medication for you condition.
You can take control of your body by changing your thought patterns and lifestyle habits. Self-hypnosis is the perfect guide to blood pressure help.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Seymour
Testing for Hypertension
You can take some tests to see if you need support and assistance. Your physician can take a urine test to see if there is blood or protein in your urine. An ECG (electrocardiogram) can measure heart activity. You can have your blood tested for sugar and cholesterol levels. Your physician may check to see if your kidneys are functioning properly as well.
If you think that you need to help blood pressure improve, these tests are necessary. They help your physician rule out any underlying illnesses like kidney disease. The tests check for diabetes and high cholesterol and they determine if the heart has been damaged.
The Problem with Symptoms
The major problem with the symptoms of hypertension is that there really aren't any. The condition is insidious in nature and you can have problems with hypertension without knowing it. Regular check-ups with your physician are necessary to assure that you manage your condition.
Having no symptoms does not mean that the condition doesn't cause problems in your system. Cardiovascular disease, kidney damage and damaged arteries can result from this condition.
Blood Pressure Help
Diet and exercise along with drinking lots of water are common suggestions for natural approaches to deal with hypertension. You also want to avoid excessive stress because the stressful feelings have physical ramifications. If your trouble is serious, your physician may prescribe medication.
You can improve your hypertension by using self-hypnosis as a complementary approach. This strategy makes sense for a number of reasons and you can benefit greatly from adopting hypnosis into your treatment plan. You will feel the difference right away.
Benefits of Self-Hypnosis
You can control how your body responds to stressful situations by changing your thought patterns through the subconscious mind. This process also provides the necessary relaxation you need on a regular basis. Many people do not take time to meditate or calm their systems.
When you undergo hypnosis, you are more open to suggestion. This makes you more apt to follow your physician's orders. You are more likely to make the necessary changes in your diet and exercise routine when you use hypnosis as a guide.
Self-hypnosis puts you in the frame of mind that you need in order to overcome hypertension. As you adopt new thought patterns that are conducive to relaxation and healthy living, your medication will work better. Eventually, you find that you may not need medication for you condition.
You can take control of your body by changing your thought patterns and lifestyle habits. Self-hypnosis is the perfect guide to blood pressure help.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Seymour
Friday, October 31, 2008
Heart Diseases: Uk Has The Highest Heart Disease Rates Of The World
One of the highest rates of death due to heart disease in the world affects the United Kingdom (UK). According to statistics, one British adult dies from the disease every three minutes; meanwhile stroke ranks third as the country's biggest killer, causing the death of 70,000 men and women each year.
Experts explain that heart attacks happen when blood flow is closed, often because a blood clot occurs, while strokes when a blood tube in your brain suddenly are caused by blocked or burst of blood vessels.
There exist various and different heart conditions, such as heart attack, heart failure, heart muscle disease, heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, angina, hardened arteries, high blood pressure and disturbed heart rhythm.
These conditions -such as heart failure, when blood is not pumped around the body in a proper way, along with congenital heart defects- can cause long term problems and death for sufferers.
The importance of heart is vital. This body organ pumps blood through the body carrying oxygen and other nutrients to the areas that need it. However, serious illness and even death can result when this process is interrupted or does not work correctly.
Although men are more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, people with poor diet, who smoke and do not exercise, are in greater risk for developing a heart related disease.
In order to alleviate symptoms or save the lives of sufferers there exist different tests and treatments, including drugs, heart bypass surgery and transplants.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Experts explain that heart attacks happen when blood flow is closed, often because a blood clot occurs, while strokes when a blood tube in your brain suddenly are caused by blocked or burst of blood vessels.
There exist various and different heart conditions, such as heart attack, heart failure, heart muscle disease, heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, angina, hardened arteries, high blood pressure and disturbed heart rhythm.
These conditions -such as heart failure, when blood is not pumped around the body in a proper way, along with congenital heart defects- can cause long term problems and death for sufferers.
The importance of heart is vital. This body organ pumps blood through the body carrying oxygen and other nutrients to the areas that need it. However, serious illness and even death can result when this process is interrupted or does not work correctly.
Although men are more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, people with poor diet, who smoke and do not exercise, are in greater risk for developing a heart related disease.
In order to alleviate symptoms or save the lives of sufferers there exist different tests and treatments, including drugs, heart bypass surgery and transplants.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Heart Diseases: Statistical Comparison Between Us And Africa
Cardiomyopathy is a rare heart muscle disease over the world, but not in Africa where it is one of the major causes of heart failure, according to experts that reviewed all available cardiomyopathy studies performed in Africa, along with all the information about the causes and types of heart muscle disease in Africa, where 10 per cent of the world's population lives.
A 10 per cent to 17 per cent of cardiac problems found through autopsies in South Africa and Uganda, and 17 per cent to 48 per cent of heart failure diagnoses in many parts of Africa are due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is an enlargement of the entire heart, explain researchers.
In the United States, 4 to 8 per 100,000 people are affected by DCM, but African overall incidence is unknown, because the corresponding studies have not been made yet.
Researchers' findings show that Peripartum cardiomyopathy has a very high incidence throughout Africa and Nigeria. This illness can cause heart failure and it develops between the last month of pregnancy and the first five months after childbirth.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy incidence in the US is 1 in 15,000 deliveries; meanwhile the incidence in South Africa is 1 in 1,000 cases.
DCM is caused by various factors, under generally accepted African theory. These include untreated high blood pressure, infective and toxic agents, inappropriate immunologic reactions, nutritional deficiencies, and genetic factors.
According to experts, it is important to do more research to understand the underlying reasons for Africa's high cardiomyopathy rate, and prevent or reduce it.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
A 10 per cent to 17 per cent of cardiac problems found through autopsies in South Africa and Uganda, and 17 per cent to 48 per cent of heart failure diagnoses in many parts of Africa are due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is an enlargement of the entire heart, explain researchers.
In the United States, 4 to 8 per 100,000 people are affected by DCM, but African overall incidence is unknown, because the corresponding studies have not been made yet.
Researchers' findings show that Peripartum cardiomyopathy has a very high incidence throughout Africa and Nigeria. This illness can cause heart failure and it develops between the last month of pregnancy and the first five months after childbirth.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy incidence in the US is 1 in 15,000 deliveries; meanwhile the incidence in South Africa is 1 in 1,000 cases.
DCM is caused by various factors, under generally accepted African theory. These include untreated high blood pressure, infective and toxic agents, inappropriate immunologic reactions, nutritional deficiencies, and genetic factors.
According to experts, it is important to do more research to understand the underlying reasons for Africa's high cardiomyopathy rate, and prevent or reduce it.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
3 Tips For Preventing Heart Disease
It is simple to avoid or prevent heart disease; you simply need to steer clear of all tobacco products, stay physically active, and choose to eat the proper diet. These three tips will help you to avoid heart disease, but they are not all that easy for most people. They involve making changes to your habits.
Smoking is a tricky pattern to break, and if you are used to sitting all day in an office, is it tough to be more physically active. When it comes to exercise, what is lacking most is motivation. In today's fast-paced life, grabbing a quick bite to eat at a fast-food joint is all too often the reality of family meals. These meals are usually not all that nutritious. Break this habit and develop a healthy eating routine. Easy to say; difficult to do.
Sad to admit, but people usually only get really motivated to make these lifestyle changes when they see signs of heart disease. If you want to prevent heart disease, you must avoid tobacco, including second-hand smoke, lower your stress levels, watch and manage high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, become physically active everyday, and take steps to maintain the recommended weight for your body height and age.
Need more motivation? Visit your local hospital ward where patients are dying of heart disease. This folks didn't do enough to lower their risks of heart disease. Are you ready to go through all that just to be able to smoke one more cigarette or eat one more plate of fries?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antoinette_Boulay
Smoking is a tricky pattern to break, and if you are used to sitting all day in an office, is it tough to be more physically active. When it comes to exercise, what is lacking most is motivation. In today's fast-paced life, grabbing a quick bite to eat at a fast-food joint is all too often the reality of family meals. These meals are usually not all that nutritious. Break this habit and develop a healthy eating routine. Easy to say; difficult to do.
Sad to admit, but people usually only get really motivated to make these lifestyle changes when they see signs of heart disease. If you want to prevent heart disease, you must avoid tobacco, including second-hand smoke, lower your stress levels, watch and manage high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, become physically active everyday, and take steps to maintain the recommended weight for your body height and age.
Need more motivation? Visit your local hospital ward where patients are dying of heart disease. This folks didn't do enough to lower their risks of heart disease. Are you ready to go through all that just to be able to smoke one more cigarette or eat one more plate of fries?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antoinette_Boulay
The Heart Un-Healthy Western Diet
"God sendeth and giveth both mouth and meat." Thomas Tusser
"The beef industry has contributed to more American deaths than all the wars of this century, all natural disasters, and all automobile accidents combined. If beef is your idea of `real food for real people,' you'd better live real close to a real good hospital." Dr. Neal D. Bernard, MD
The 'Western' Diet is a 'meat-sweet' diet. This diet is high in red and processed meats, sweets, fried foods, refined grains, and desserts. And after almost a century, it has finally become clear that this diet has become a serious threat to our health.
Obesity is primarily related to excessive caloric intake. The meat-sweet diet of USA has resulted in sixty-five percent of adults aged 20 y being either overweight or obese. Unfortunately, the numbers are increasing and the estimated number of deaths ascribable to obesity growing. The western diet is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer. Cardiovascular disease is the cause of 38.5% of all deaths in the US. Almost 65 million Americans suffer from cardiovascular disease. The second leading cause of death is cancer in the US. It is estimated that one third of all cancers (25% of all deaths ) are related to diet and obesity. Other chronic diseases strongly related to and influenced by the western diet are hypertension (50 million Americans), diabetes (11 million), elevated cholesterol (37 million) and osteoporosis (7.2 million) and osteopenia (39.6 million). Hip fractures greatly increase the mortality, and osteoporosis plays a major role in this disease.
Indications of the dangerous nature of the western diet started emerging almost a century ago. In 1916, Dutch physician De Langen published a study of showing the higher cholesterol levels of Dutch immigrants as those of the native Javanese. This almost double cholesterol level was associated with metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and nephritis. In 1950's, Keys and coworkers found that cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease mortality rates were high in United States and Finland, while being low in Japan and southern Europe. They attributed this to the substantial differences in the dietary patterns - an early indication that the 'Western" diet was heart unhealthy.
In 1958 a major scientific study called the Seven Countries Study, involving 12,763 men between the ages of 40 to 59 years began. These countries were the United States, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, the former Yugoslavia, and Japan. Over a period of 25 years, about 6000 men died, of which 1500 men died of coronary heart disease. Populations with the highest consumption of animal food groups, with the exception of fish, had a much higher 25-year coronary heart disease mortality rates, when compared to populations with the highest vegetable, grains, fish and wine consumption. During the start of the study, the consumption of milk, potatoes, butter, and sugar products was very high in Finland. Netherlands had a similar but lower consumption pattern. Meat, pastry and fruit consumption (meat-sweet diet) was high in the United States. The Italians ate a lot of cereal and drank moderate amounts of wine while bread consumption was high in the former Yugoslavia. Greeks consumed high amounts of olive oil and fruit, while the Japanese were fond of fish, rice, and soy products. Heart attacks... God's revenge for eating his little animal friends. -Author Unknown
How did the western diet emerge? The Western diet developed gradually over the last 200 years and was mainly a result of industrialization. In the prehistoric times, milk intake was limited to mother's milk as it was impossible to milk wild animals. "The human body has no more need for cows' milk than it does for dogs' milk, horses' milk, or giraffes' milk." -Michael Klaper, MD, author of Vegan Nutrition: Pure & Simple. With domestication of cows and other animals and subsequent ability for refrigeration, a whole host of dairy products became a staple of the western diet. The mechanized steel roller mills and automated sifting devices of today remove most of the germ and bran of the cereal grains, leaving mainly the endosperm as flour. The recent production of high fructose corn syrup greatly increased refined sugar consumption. Industrialization also produced more atpical vegetable oils for consumption that are high in trans fatty acids, as is seen in margarine and shortening. Salt intake is very high in the United States. Unfortunately 90% of the salt in the typical US diet comes from manufactured salt that is added to the food supply, and not from salt added while cooking or from the table.
"Meat, which contains cholesterol and saturated fat, was never intended for human beings, who are natural herbivores."William C. Roberts, M.D. and Editor in Chief, American Journal of Cardiology, vol. 66, October 1, 1990. Unlike meat from wild animals or pasture raised cattle, 99% of all the beef consumed in the United States is high in the unhealthy saturated fatty acids and n-6 fatty acids and low in the beneficial n-3 fatty acids. This meat is mainly produced from grain-fed, feedlot cattle. "The beef industry has contributed to more American deaths than all the wars of this century, all natural disasters, and all automobile accidents combined. If beef is your idea of `real food for real people,' you'd better live real close to a real good hospital." -Neal D. Barnard, M.D.
The western diet is also deficient in micronutrients (At least half the US population fails to meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin B-6, vitamin A, magnesium, calcium, and zinc, and 33% of the population does not meet the RDA for folate), is conducive to an acidic body status (fish, meat, poultry, eggs, shellfish, cheese, milk, and cereal grains are net acid producing, whereas fresh fruit, vegetables, tubers, roots, and nuts are net base producing.), has less potassium (Industrial periods caused a 400% decline in the potassium intake while simultaneously initiating a 400% increase in sodium ingestion ) and fiber (refined sugars, vegetable oils, dairy products, and alcohol, are all devoid of fiber. Refined grains contain about 400% less fiber when compared to whole grains, and the former represent 85% of the grains consumed in the United States). These are all detrimental to the health, especially cardiac health. Because normally with Western cuisine, you'll serve vegetables separate from the meat, so kids will eat the meat and never touch the vegetables. Martin Yan. Vegetables and fruits are mainly side dishes or desserts in the Western Diet.
More die in the United States of too much food than of too little. -John Kenneth Galbraith, The Affluent Society. The western diet has also become an excessive calorie diet, resulting in the obesity epidemic in the western world, with all its health consequences. Americans eat 3,770 calories a day, and have the highest per capita daily consumption in the world. This is more than a Canadian at 3,590 calories or an Indian at 2,440, according to data from the UN Food and Agricultural Organization. Unfortunately switching to diet sodas does not help - a recent report has shown the diet soda drinkers may be more prone to the dangerous metabolic syndrome.
When combined with inactivity and smoking, the western diet has become lethal. So cut down on red meat, especially beef and change to a prudent heart healthy diet. So, as an old English Proverb warns: don't dig your grave with your own knife and fork.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD
"The beef industry has contributed to more American deaths than all the wars of this century, all natural disasters, and all automobile accidents combined. If beef is your idea of `real food for real people,' you'd better live real close to a real good hospital." Dr. Neal D. Bernard, MD
The 'Western' Diet is a 'meat-sweet' diet. This diet is high in red and processed meats, sweets, fried foods, refined grains, and desserts. And after almost a century, it has finally become clear that this diet has become a serious threat to our health.
Obesity is primarily related to excessive caloric intake. The meat-sweet diet of USA has resulted in sixty-five percent of adults aged 20 y being either overweight or obese. Unfortunately, the numbers are increasing and the estimated number of deaths ascribable to obesity growing. The western diet is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer. Cardiovascular disease is the cause of 38.5% of all deaths in the US. Almost 65 million Americans suffer from cardiovascular disease. The second leading cause of death is cancer in the US. It is estimated that one third of all cancers (25% of all deaths ) are related to diet and obesity. Other chronic diseases strongly related to and influenced by the western diet are hypertension (50 million Americans), diabetes (11 million), elevated cholesterol (37 million) and osteoporosis (7.2 million) and osteopenia (39.6 million). Hip fractures greatly increase the mortality, and osteoporosis plays a major role in this disease.
Indications of the dangerous nature of the western diet started emerging almost a century ago. In 1916, Dutch physician De Langen published a study of showing the higher cholesterol levels of Dutch immigrants as those of the native Javanese. This almost double cholesterol level was associated with metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and nephritis. In 1950's, Keys and coworkers found that cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease mortality rates were high in United States and Finland, while being low in Japan and southern Europe. They attributed this to the substantial differences in the dietary patterns - an early indication that the 'Western" diet was heart unhealthy.
In 1958 a major scientific study called the Seven Countries Study, involving 12,763 men between the ages of 40 to 59 years began. These countries were the United States, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, the former Yugoslavia, and Japan. Over a period of 25 years, about 6000 men died, of which 1500 men died of coronary heart disease. Populations with the highest consumption of animal food groups, with the exception of fish, had a much higher 25-year coronary heart disease mortality rates, when compared to populations with the highest vegetable, grains, fish and wine consumption. During the start of the study, the consumption of milk, potatoes, butter, and sugar products was very high in Finland. Netherlands had a similar but lower consumption pattern. Meat, pastry and fruit consumption (meat-sweet diet) was high in the United States. The Italians ate a lot of cereal and drank moderate amounts of wine while bread consumption was high in the former Yugoslavia. Greeks consumed high amounts of olive oil and fruit, while the Japanese were fond of fish, rice, and soy products. Heart attacks... God's revenge for eating his little animal friends. -Author Unknown
How did the western diet emerge? The Western diet developed gradually over the last 200 years and was mainly a result of industrialization. In the prehistoric times, milk intake was limited to mother's milk as it was impossible to milk wild animals. "The human body has no more need for cows' milk than it does for dogs' milk, horses' milk, or giraffes' milk." -Michael Klaper, MD, author of Vegan Nutrition: Pure & Simple. With domestication of cows and other animals and subsequent ability for refrigeration, a whole host of dairy products became a staple of the western diet. The mechanized steel roller mills and automated sifting devices of today remove most of the germ and bran of the cereal grains, leaving mainly the endosperm as flour. The recent production of high fructose corn syrup greatly increased refined sugar consumption. Industrialization also produced more atpical vegetable oils for consumption that are high in trans fatty acids, as is seen in margarine and shortening. Salt intake is very high in the United States. Unfortunately 90% of the salt in the typical US diet comes from manufactured salt that is added to the food supply, and not from salt added while cooking or from the table.
"Meat, which contains cholesterol and saturated fat, was never intended for human beings, who are natural herbivores."William C. Roberts, M.D. and Editor in Chief, American Journal of Cardiology, vol. 66, October 1, 1990. Unlike meat from wild animals or pasture raised cattle, 99% of all the beef consumed in the United States is high in the unhealthy saturated fatty acids and n-6 fatty acids and low in the beneficial n-3 fatty acids. This meat is mainly produced from grain-fed, feedlot cattle. "The beef industry has contributed to more American deaths than all the wars of this century, all natural disasters, and all automobile accidents combined. If beef is your idea of `real food for real people,' you'd better live real close to a real good hospital." -Neal D. Barnard, M.D.
The western diet is also deficient in micronutrients (At least half the US population fails to meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin B-6, vitamin A, magnesium, calcium, and zinc, and 33% of the population does not meet the RDA for folate), is conducive to an acidic body status (fish, meat, poultry, eggs, shellfish, cheese, milk, and cereal grains are net acid producing, whereas fresh fruit, vegetables, tubers, roots, and nuts are net base producing.), has less potassium (Industrial periods caused a 400% decline in the potassium intake while simultaneously initiating a 400% increase in sodium ingestion ) and fiber (refined sugars, vegetable oils, dairy products, and alcohol, are all devoid of fiber. Refined grains contain about 400% less fiber when compared to whole grains, and the former represent 85% of the grains consumed in the United States). These are all detrimental to the health, especially cardiac health. Because normally with Western cuisine, you'll serve vegetables separate from the meat, so kids will eat the meat and never touch the vegetables. Martin Yan. Vegetables and fruits are mainly side dishes or desserts in the Western Diet.
More die in the United States of too much food than of too little. -John Kenneth Galbraith, The Affluent Society. The western diet has also become an excessive calorie diet, resulting in the obesity epidemic in the western world, with all its health consequences. Americans eat 3,770 calories a day, and have the highest per capita daily consumption in the world. This is more than a Canadian at 3,590 calories or an Indian at 2,440, according to data from the UN Food and Agricultural Organization. Unfortunately switching to diet sodas does not help - a recent report has shown the diet soda drinkers may be more prone to the dangerous metabolic syndrome.
When combined with inactivity and smoking, the western diet has become lethal. So cut down on red meat, especially beef and change to a prudent heart healthy diet. So, as an old English Proverb warns: don't dig your grave with your own knife and fork.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD
Friday, October 17, 2008
Heart Healthy Prudent Diet
"1.5 million deaths per year in the U.S. are from diseases associated with diets high in saturated fats and cholesterol. The major dietary sources of fat in the American diet are meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and fats and oils. Dietary cholesterol is found only in foods of animal origin. Reduce consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol. Increase consumption of whole grain foods and cereal products, vegetables and fruits." Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health, 1988.
The "western" diet, is characterized by high intakes of red and processed meats, sweets, fried foods, refined grains, and desserts. This has been found to be associated with a high incidence of chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, cancer and the number one killer , cardiovascular diseases. Scientific data has repeatedly shown that a prudent heart healthy diet drastically reduces your propensity to succumb to these diseases.
So how do you change your diet to a heart healthy one? To start, cut down on the intake of saturated fat. A major source of saturated fat is meat, including organ meats and poultry. "Meat, which contains cholesterol and saturated fat, was never intended for human beings, who are natural herbivores." William C. Roberts, M.D. and Editor in Chief, American Journal of Cardiology, vol. 66, October 1, 1990. Other sources of saturated fats are egg yolks and dairy products like whole milk, cream, ice cream, whole milk cheeses, butter and lard. Certain plant oils like palm, kernel, and coconut are also high in saturated fat. On the other hand you can lower your cholesterol by consuming polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Plant oils such as safflower, sesame, soy, corn and sunflower seeds are high in polyunsaturated fats. Plant oils such as olive, canola and peanuts and fruits such as avocados are high in monounsaturated fats. "Those who eat flesh are but eating grains and vegetables at second hand; for the animal receives from these things the nutrition that produces growth. The life that was in the grains and the vegetables passes into the eater.
We receive it by eating the flesh of the animal. How much better to get it direct by eating the food that God provided for our use!" 1905 Ellen G. White 1827-1915 Founder of the Seventh Day Adventists. And completely eliminate or reduce to less than 2% the consumption of the heart unhealthy trans-fatty acids. These not only raise your bad LDL cholesterol but also decrease your good HDL cholesterol. In A recent Harvard University study of more than 80,000 women suggested that replacing just 2 percent of trans fat calories with calories from healthier fats reduced the risk of heart disease by more than 50 percent. No wonder, the state of California, and cities of New York and Philadelphia have passed laws banning the use of oils, margarine and shortening containing trans fats in restaurants, bakeries, delicatessens, cafeterias, and other businesses classified as "food facilities. Deep fried fast foods are typically high in trans-fats.
Eat grilled or baked fatty fish at least once a week. Fatty fish include salmon, tuna, sardines, or mackerel. Marine life is high in omega 3 fatty acids. These protect against cardiovascular disease by their anti-atherogenic effects. They also improve endothelial and platelet function, lower levels of oxidative stress and encourage plaque stability. Omega-3 fatty acids are also present, though in smaller amounts, in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soybean oil and canola oil.
Eat more than 400 gm of fruits and vegetables per day. "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." Albert Einstein. Clinical trials have shown that diets rich in fruits and vegetables decrease cardiovascular disease by several mechanisms, including improvement in cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure and decreasing inflammation, homocysteine levels, and blood clotting. Besides providing the cholesterol lowering poly and mono unsaturated fats, certain vegetables like okra and eggplant also provide good amounts of viscous fiber. Pooled clinical trial data from 10 observational studies reveal that for every 10g/d increment in energy adjusted fiber intake, coronary events decrease by 14% and coronary deaths by 27%. Plants are also rich in healthy ingredients including several phytochemicals, the vitamin folate and the electrolyte potassium.
Eat a variety of whole grains. Foods rich in whole grains include breakfast cereals made with e25% whole grain or bran by weight, dark bread, popcorn, cooked oatmeal, wheat germ, brown rice, and bulgur, kasha, and couscous. And decrease the intake of refined grains. Foods rich in refined grains include included breakfast cereals made with <25% whole grain or bran by weight, white bread and rolls, muffins, cakes, cookies, white rice, pancakes, waffles, pasta, and pizza. "I don't understand why asking people to eat a well-balanced vegetarian diet is considered drastic, while it is medically conservative to cut people open and put them on cholesterol-lowering drugs for the rest of their lives." Dean Ornish, MD.
Control your caloric intake. According to data from the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, the western diet that the Americans eat averages 3,770 calories a day, while the eastern diet in India averages 2,440 calories. Keeping your body mass index below 25 kg/m2 is beneficial. This was best exemplified by the economic crisis of 1988-2000 in Cuba, when the decrease in per capita food intake was accompanied by a drop in diabetes by 51%, heart disease by 35% and stroke by 20%. This study was published in the September 19, 2007 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Add a Mediterranean flavor to your diet. A large study evaluating adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the US population found that mortality from cardiovascular decreased by about 20%. This study involving 214,284 men and 166,012 women, was reported in the December 10/24, 2007 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. So add olive oil, nuts and herbs to your cooking. Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, basil, bay leaves, thyme, saffron, oregano, or coriander not only add flavor and decrease the need for salt in your meals, but also add heart healthy minerals and vitamins. And have a drink of red wine with food. Moderate drinking is heart healthy, and should be limited to not more than two drinks in men and one drink in women. Above this, drinking alcohol becomes a health hazard.
Limit salt consumption to less than a teaspoon a day. In a study from Brigham and Women's Hospital, and published online in the British Medical Journal, people who were pre-hypertensive, reduction in salt intake by 25%-35%, reduced their risk of cardiovascular event over the subsequent 10-15 years by 25%-30%. "It is postulated that 150,000 lives could be saved in the U.S. annually if everyone cut their sodium consumption in half. Unfortunately, most Americans get their salt from processed and restaurant foods." As a result, the American Medical Association has called for a minimum 50% reduction in sodium in processed foods, fast foods and non-fast-food restaurant meals over the next 10 years.
The benefits of a prudent heart healthy diet were well summed up in a report by Franco and colleagues in a 2004 issue of the British Medical Journal . These authors postulate that theoretically one can cut the cardiovascular risk by almost 76% by ingesting a meal which includes 400 gms of fruits and vegetables (21% reduction), 114 g of fish four times a week (14% reduction), 150 ml of wine a day (32% reduction), 2.7% of garlic per day (25% reduction), 100 gm of dark chocolate (21% reduction) and 68g of almonds per day (12.5% reduction). They also postulated an increase in life span in people over the age of 50.
So it is never late to change to a heart healthy diet. "When I was 88 years old, I gave up meat entirely and switched to a plant-foods diet following a slight stroke. During the following months, I not only lost 50 pounds but also gained strength in my legs and picked up stamina. Now, at 93, I'm on the same plant-based diet, and I still don't eat any meat or dairy products. I either swim, walk or paddle a canoe daily and I feel the best I've felt since my heart problems began." Benjamin Spock, M.D. (1903-1998). Changing to a more prudent diet even after years of consuming heart unhealthy western foods can bring about beneficial changes. Besides improving your cardiovascular health, you will also benefit from a significant reduction in chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and cancer. And if you give up smoking and combine the prudent diet with moderate to vigorous physical activity like brisk walking, biking, swimming or gardening at least 30 minutes each day, your health benefits will further increase
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD
The "western" diet, is characterized by high intakes of red and processed meats, sweets, fried foods, refined grains, and desserts. This has been found to be associated with a high incidence of chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, cancer and the number one killer , cardiovascular diseases. Scientific data has repeatedly shown that a prudent heart healthy diet drastically reduces your propensity to succumb to these diseases.
So how do you change your diet to a heart healthy one? To start, cut down on the intake of saturated fat. A major source of saturated fat is meat, including organ meats and poultry. "Meat, which contains cholesterol and saturated fat, was never intended for human beings, who are natural herbivores." William C. Roberts, M.D. and Editor in Chief, American Journal of Cardiology, vol. 66, October 1, 1990. Other sources of saturated fats are egg yolks and dairy products like whole milk, cream, ice cream, whole milk cheeses, butter and lard. Certain plant oils like palm, kernel, and coconut are also high in saturated fat. On the other hand you can lower your cholesterol by consuming polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Plant oils such as safflower, sesame, soy, corn and sunflower seeds are high in polyunsaturated fats. Plant oils such as olive, canola and peanuts and fruits such as avocados are high in monounsaturated fats. "Those who eat flesh are but eating grains and vegetables at second hand; for the animal receives from these things the nutrition that produces growth. The life that was in the grains and the vegetables passes into the eater.
We receive it by eating the flesh of the animal. How much better to get it direct by eating the food that God provided for our use!" 1905 Ellen G. White 1827-1915 Founder of the Seventh Day Adventists. And completely eliminate or reduce to less than 2% the consumption of the heart unhealthy trans-fatty acids. These not only raise your bad LDL cholesterol but also decrease your good HDL cholesterol. In A recent Harvard University study of more than 80,000 women suggested that replacing just 2 percent of trans fat calories with calories from healthier fats reduced the risk of heart disease by more than 50 percent. No wonder, the state of California, and cities of New York and Philadelphia have passed laws banning the use of oils, margarine and shortening containing trans fats in restaurants, bakeries, delicatessens, cafeterias, and other businesses classified as "food facilities. Deep fried fast foods are typically high in trans-fats.
Eat grilled or baked fatty fish at least once a week. Fatty fish include salmon, tuna, sardines, or mackerel. Marine life is high in omega 3 fatty acids. These protect against cardiovascular disease by their anti-atherogenic effects. They also improve endothelial and platelet function, lower levels of oxidative stress and encourage plaque stability. Omega-3 fatty acids are also present, though in smaller amounts, in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soybean oil and canola oil.
Eat more than 400 gm of fruits and vegetables per day. "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." Albert Einstein. Clinical trials have shown that diets rich in fruits and vegetables decrease cardiovascular disease by several mechanisms, including improvement in cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure and decreasing inflammation, homocysteine levels, and blood clotting. Besides providing the cholesterol lowering poly and mono unsaturated fats, certain vegetables like okra and eggplant also provide good amounts of viscous fiber. Pooled clinical trial data from 10 observational studies reveal that for every 10g/d increment in energy adjusted fiber intake, coronary events decrease by 14% and coronary deaths by 27%. Plants are also rich in healthy ingredients including several phytochemicals, the vitamin folate and the electrolyte potassium.
Eat a variety of whole grains. Foods rich in whole grains include breakfast cereals made with e25% whole grain or bran by weight, dark bread, popcorn, cooked oatmeal, wheat germ, brown rice, and bulgur, kasha, and couscous. And decrease the intake of refined grains. Foods rich in refined grains include included breakfast cereals made with <25% whole grain or bran by weight, white bread and rolls, muffins, cakes, cookies, white rice, pancakes, waffles, pasta, and pizza. "I don't understand why asking people to eat a well-balanced vegetarian diet is considered drastic, while it is medically conservative to cut people open and put them on cholesterol-lowering drugs for the rest of their lives." Dean Ornish, MD.
Control your caloric intake. According to data from the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, the western diet that the Americans eat averages 3,770 calories a day, while the eastern diet in India averages 2,440 calories. Keeping your body mass index below 25 kg/m2 is beneficial. This was best exemplified by the economic crisis of 1988-2000 in Cuba, when the decrease in per capita food intake was accompanied by a drop in diabetes by 51%, heart disease by 35% and stroke by 20%. This study was published in the September 19, 2007 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Add a Mediterranean flavor to your diet. A large study evaluating adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the US population found that mortality from cardiovascular decreased by about 20%. This study involving 214,284 men and 166,012 women, was reported in the December 10/24, 2007 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. So add olive oil, nuts and herbs to your cooking. Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, basil, bay leaves, thyme, saffron, oregano, or coriander not only add flavor and decrease the need for salt in your meals, but also add heart healthy minerals and vitamins. And have a drink of red wine with food. Moderate drinking is heart healthy, and should be limited to not more than two drinks in men and one drink in women. Above this, drinking alcohol becomes a health hazard.
Limit salt consumption to less than a teaspoon a day. In a study from Brigham and Women's Hospital, and published online in the British Medical Journal, people who were pre-hypertensive, reduction in salt intake by 25%-35%, reduced their risk of cardiovascular event over the subsequent 10-15 years by 25%-30%. "It is postulated that 150,000 lives could be saved in the U.S. annually if everyone cut their sodium consumption in half. Unfortunately, most Americans get their salt from processed and restaurant foods." As a result, the American Medical Association has called for a minimum 50% reduction in sodium in processed foods, fast foods and non-fast-food restaurant meals over the next 10 years.
The benefits of a prudent heart healthy diet were well summed up in a report by Franco and colleagues in a 2004 issue of the British Medical Journal . These authors postulate that theoretically one can cut the cardiovascular risk by almost 76% by ingesting a meal which includes 400 gms of fruits and vegetables (21% reduction), 114 g of fish four times a week (14% reduction), 150 ml of wine a day (32% reduction), 2.7% of garlic per day (25% reduction), 100 gm of dark chocolate (21% reduction) and 68g of almonds per day (12.5% reduction). They also postulated an increase in life span in people over the age of 50.
So it is never late to change to a heart healthy diet. "When I was 88 years old, I gave up meat entirely and switched to a plant-foods diet following a slight stroke. During the following months, I not only lost 50 pounds but also gained strength in my legs and picked up stamina. Now, at 93, I'm on the same plant-based diet, and I still don't eat any meat or dairy products. I either swim, walk or paddle a canoe daily and I feel the best I've felt since my heart problems began." Benjamin Spock, M.D. (1903-1998). Changing to a more prudent diet even after years of consuming heart unhealthy western foods can bring about beneficial changes. Besides improving your cardiovascular health, you will also benefit from a significant reduction in chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and cancer. And if you give up smoking and combine the prudent diet with moderate to vigorous physical activity like brisk walking, biking, swimming or gardening at least 30 minutes each day, your health benefits will further increase
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD
Heart Diseases Part V - Heart Diseases Affecting Heart Valves
As we mentioned in the previous articles, heart diseases are caused by high blood pressure that contributes to the hardening of the arteries. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) build up in the arteries as a result of uncontrolled diet with high levels of saturated fat and trans fat.
Heart diseases affecting heart valves occur when the mitral valve in the heart narrows, causing the heart to work harder to pump blood from the left atrium into the ventricle.
Here are some types of heart disease affecting heart valves:
1. Mitral Stenosis
Mitral Stenosis is a heart valve disorder that involves a narrowing or blockage of the opening of the mitral valve causing the volume and pressure of blood in the left atrium increases.
2. Mitral valves regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation is the heart disease in which your heart's mitral valve doesn't close tightly causing the blood to be unable to move through the heart efficiently. Symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation are fatigue and shortness of breath.
3. Mitral valves prolapse
In mitral valve prolapse, one or both leaflets of the valve are too large resulting in uneven closure of the valve during each heartbeat. Symptoms of mitral valves prolapse are palpitation, shortness of breath, dizzy, fatigue and chest pains.
4. Aortic Stenosis
With aging, protein collagen of the valve leaflets are destroyed and calcium is deposited on the leaflets causing scarring, thickening, and stenosis of the valve therefore increasing the wear and tear on the valve leaflets resulting in the symptoms and heart problems of aortic stenosis.
5. Aortic regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation is the leaking of the aortic valve of the heart that causes blood to flow in the reverse direction during ventricular diastole, from the aorta into the left ventricle. Symptoms of aortic regurgitation include fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitation and irregular heart beats.
6. Tricuspid stenosis
Tricuspid stenosis is the narrowing of the orifice of the tricuspid valve of the heart causing increased resistance to blood flow through the valve. Symptoms of tricuspid stenosis include fatigue, enlarged liver, abdominal swelling, neck discomfort and leg and ankle swelling.
7. Tricuspid regurgitation.
Tricuspid regurgitation is the failure of the right ventricular causing blood to leak back through the tricuspid valve from the right ventricle into the right atrium of the heart. Symptoms of tricuspid regurgitation include leg and ankle swelling and swelling in the abdomen.
I hope the above information will help you to understand heart diseases better. If you would like to read more of the above subject, please visit my home page at:
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
Heart diseases affecting heart valves occur when the mitral valve in the heart narrows, causing the heart to work harder to pump blood from the left atrium into the ventricle.
Here are some types of heart disease affecting heart valves:
1. Mitral Stenosis
Mitral Stenosis is a heart valve disorder that involves a narrowing or blockage of the opening of the mitral valve causing the volume and pressure of blood in the left atrium increases.
2. Mitral valves regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation is the heart disease in which your heart's mitral valve doesn't close tightly causing the blood to be unable to move through the heart efficiently. Symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation are fatigue and shortness of breath.
3. Mitral valves prolapse
In mitral valve prolapse, one or both leaflets of the valve are too large resulting in uneven closure of the valve during each heartbeat. Symptoms of mitral valves prolapse are palpitation, shortness of breath, dizzy, fatigue and chest pains.
4. Aortic Stenosis
With aging, protein collagen of the valve leaflets are destroyed and calcium is deposited on the leaflets causing scarring, thickening, and stenosis of the valve therefore increasing the wear and tear on the valve leaflets resulting in the symptoms and heart problems of aortic stenosis.
5. Aortic regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation is the leaking of the aortic valve of the heart that causes blood to flow in the reverse direction during ventricular diastole, from the aorta into the left ventricle. Symptoms of aortic regurgitation include fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitation and irregular heart beats.
6. Tricuspid stenosis
Tricuspid stenosis is the narrowing of the orifice of the tricuspid valve of the heart causing increased resistance to blood flow through the valve. Symptoms of tricuspid stenosis include fatigue, enlarged liver, abdominal swelling, neck discomfort and leg and ankle swelling.
7. Tricuspid regurgitation.
Tricuspid regurgitation is the failure of the right ventricular causing blood to leak back through the tricuspid valve from the right ventricle into the right atrium of the heart. Symptoms of tricuspid regurgitation include leg and ankle swelling and swelling in the abdomen.
I hope the above information will help you to understand heart diseases better. If you would like to read more of the above subject, please visit my home page at:
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
Heart Diseases Part IV - Heart Diseases Affecting Heart Muscles
As we mentioned in the previous articles, heart diseases are caused by high blood pressure that contributes to hardening of the arteries. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) building up in the arteries as a result of uncontrolled diet with high levels of saturated fat and trans fat.
In the case of heart diseases affecting heart muscles, the heart muscles are stiff, increasing the amount of pressure required to expand for blood to flow into the heart or the narrowing of the passage as a result of obstructing blood flow out of the heart.
Heart diseases affecting heart muscles include:
1. Cardiomyopathy
Heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn't work as well as it should. There may be multiple causes such as high blood pressure, heart valve disease, artery diseases or congenital heart defects.
a) Dilated cardiomyopathy
The heart cavity is enlarged and stretched. Blood flows more slowly through an enlarged heart, causing formation of blood clots as a result of clots sticking to the inner lining of the heart, breaking off the right ventricle into the pulmonary circulation in the lung or being dislodged and carried into the body's circulation to form emboli.
b) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The wall between the two ventricles becomes enlarged, obstructing the blood flow from the left ventricle. Sometimes the thickened wall distorts one leaflet of the mitral valve, causing it to leak. The symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting and angina pectoris.
c) Restrictive cardiomyopathy
The ventricles becomes excessively rigid, so it's harder for the ventricles to fill with blood between heartbeats. The symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, swollen hands and feet.
2. Myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscles or the weaken of the heart muscles. The symptoms of myocarditis include fever, chest pains, congestive heart failure and palpitation.
I hope this information will help. If you need more information of the above subject please visit my home page at:
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
In the case of heart diseases affecting heart muscles, the heart muscles are stiff, increasing the amount of pressure required to expand for blood to flow into the heart or the narrowing of the passage as a result of obstructing blood flow out of the heart.
Heart diseases affecting heart muscles include:
1. Cardiomyopathy
Heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn't work as well as it should. There may be multiple causes such as high blood pressure, heart valve disease, artery diseases or congenital heart defects.
a) Dilated cardiomyopathy
The heart cavity is enlarged and stretched. Blood flows more slowly through an enlarged heart, causing formation of blood clots as a result of clots sticking to the inner lining of the heart, breaking off the right ventricle into the pulmonary circulation in the lung or being dislodged and carried into the body's circulation to form emboli.
b) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The wall between the two ventricles becomes enlarged, obstructing the blood flow from the left ventricle. Sometimes the thickened wall distorts one leaflet of the mitral valve, causing it to leak. The symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting and angina pectoris.
c) Restrictive cardiomyopathy
The ventricles becomes excessively rigid, so it's harder for the ventricles to fill with blood between heartbeats. The symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, swollen hands and feet.
2. Myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscles or the weaken of the heart muscles. The symptoms of myocarditis include fever, chest pains, congestive heart failure and palpitation.
I hope this information will help. If you need more information of the above subject please visit my home page at:
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Heart Diseases Part III - Heart Diseases Affecting Heart Chambers
As we mention in the previous article, the heart is a four chambered hollow muscle and double acting pump that is located in the chest between the lungs. Heart diseases caused by high blood pressure contributes to hardening of the arteries. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) build up in the arteries as a result of uncontrolled diet with high levels of saturated fat and trans fat. All these add to the formation of atherosclerosis lesions and eventually arterial blockage.
In this article, we will discuss heart disease affecting the heart chambers.
Heart failure is caused by the heart not pumping as much blood as it should and so the body does not get as much blood and oxygen that it needs. The malfunctioning of the heart chambers are due to damage caused by narrowed or blocked arteries leading to the muscle of your heart.
There are 4 heart chambers as follow:
* The right atrium
* The left atrium
* The right ventricle
* The left ventricle.
Heart diseases affect the heart chambers include:
1. Congestive heart failure
Heart failure is caused by the heart not pumping as much blood as it should and so the body does not get as much blood and oxygen that it needs. The malfunctioning of the heart chambers are due to damage caused by narrowed or blocked arteries leading to the muscle of your heart.
a) Diastolic dysfunction:
The contraction function is normal but there's impaired relaxation of the heart, impairing its ability to fill with blood causing the blood returning to the heart to accumulate in the lungs or veins.
b) Systolic dysfunction:
The relaxing function is normal but there's impaired contraction of the heart causing the heart to not pump out as much blood that is returned to it as it normally does as a result of more blood remaining in the lower chambers of the heart.
2. Pulmonary heart disease
Pulmonary heart disease is caused by an enlarged right ventricle. It is known as heart disease resulting from a lung disorder where the blood flowing into the lungs is slowed or blocked causing increased lung pressure. The right side of the heart has to pump harder to push against the increased pressure and this can lead to enlargement of the right ventricle.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
In this article, we will discuss heart disease affecting the heart chambers.
Heart failure is caused by the heart not pumping as much blood as it should and so the body does not get as much blood and oxygen that it needs. The malfunctioning of the heart chambers are due to damage caused by narrowed or blocked arteries leading to the muscle of your heart.
There are 4 heart chambers as follow:
* The right atrium
* The left atrium
* The right ventricle
* The left ventricle.
Heart diseases affect the heart chambers include:
1. Congestive heart failure
Heart failure is caused by the heart not pumping as much blood as it should and so the body does not get as much blood and oxygen that it needs. The malfunctioning of the heart chambers are due to damage caused by narrowed or blocked arteries leading to the muscle of your heart.
a) Diastolic dysfunction:
The contraction function is normal but there's impaired relaxation of the heart, impairing its ability to fill with blood causing the blood returning to the heart to accumulate in the lungs or veins.
b) Systolic dysfunction:
The relaxing function is normal but there's impaired contraction of the heart causing the heart to not pump out as much blood that is returned to it as it normally does as a result of more blood remaining in the lower chambers of the heart.
2. Pulmonary heart disease
Pulmonary heart disease is caused by an enlarged right ventricle. It is known as heart disease resulting from a lung disorder where the blood flowing into the lungs is slowed or blocked causing increased lung pressure. The right side of the heart has to pump harder to push against the increased pressure and this can lead to enlargement of the right ventricle.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
Heart Diseases Part II - Types of Heart Diseases
The heart is a four chambered, hollow muscle and double acting pump that is located in the chest between the lungs. Heart diseases caused by high blood pressure contributes to hardening of the arteries. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) build up in the arteries as a result of uncontrolled diet with high levels of saturated fat and trans fat. All these add to the formation of atherosclerosis lesions and eventually arterial blockage.
There are some major types of heart diseases:
1. Affecting heart chambers
Heart failure caused by the heart not pumping as much blood as it should and so the body does not get as much blood and oxygen that it needs. The malfunctioning of the heart chambers are due to damage caused by narrowed or blocked arteries.
2. Affecting heart muscles
The heart muscles thickens and becomes stiff, increasing the amount of pressure required to expand for blood flows into the heart or the narrowing of the passage as a result of obstructing blood flow out of the heart.
3. Affecting heart valves
These type heart diseases occur when the mitral valve in the heart is narrowing causing the heart to work harder to pump blood from the left atrium into the ventricle. The mitral valve does not close properly and prolapse occurs or narrowing of the aortic in the heart occures.
4. Affecting coronary arteries and coronary veins
The malfunctioning of the heart may be due to damage caused by narrowed or blocked arteries leading to the muscle of your heart as well as blood backing up in the veins, causing a build up leading to swelling in the feet, ankles and legs.
5. Affecting heart lining
Rheumatic heart disease results from inflammation of the heart lining when too much fluid builds up in the lungs leading to pulmonary congestion. It is due to failure of the heart to remove fluid from the lung circulation resulting in shortness of breath, coughing up blood, pale skin and excessive sweating.
6. Affecting electrical system
The electrical system within the heart is responsible for ensuring the heart beats correctly so that blood can be transported to the cells throughout our body. Any malfunction of the electrical system in the heart causes a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
7. Congenital heart disease
There are several heart diseases that people are born with. Congenital heart diseases are caused by a persistence in the fetal connection between arterial and venous circulation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
There are some major types of heart diseases:
1. Affecting heart chambers
Heart failure caused by the heart not pumping as much blood as it should and so the body does not get as much blood and oxygen that it needs. The malfunctioning of the heart chambers are due to damage caused by narrowed or blocked arteries.
2. Affecting heart muscles
The heart muscles thickens and becomes stiff, increasing the amount of pressure required to expand for blood flows into the heart or the narrowing of the passage as a result of obstructing blood flow out of the heart.
3. Affecting heart valves
These type heart diseases occur when the mitral valve in the heart is narrowing causing the heart to work harder to pump blood from the left atrium into the ventricle. The mitral valve does not close properly and prolapse occurs or narrowing of the aortic in the heart occures.
4. Affecting coronary arteries and coronary veins
The malfunctioning of the heart may be due to damage caused by narrowed or blocked arteries leading to the muscle of your heart as well as blood backing up in the veins, causing a build up leading to swelling in the feet, ankles and legs.
5. Affecting heart lining
Rheumatic heart disease results from inflammation of the heart lining when too much fluid builds up in the lungs leading to pulmonary congestion. It is due to failure of the heart to remove fluid from the lung circulation resulting in shortness of breath, coughing up blood, pale skin and excessive sweating.
6. Affecting electrical system
The electrical system within the heart is responsible for ensuring the heart beats correctly so that blood can be transported to the cells throughout our body. Any malfunction of the electrical system in the heart causes a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
7. Congenital heart disease
There are several heart diseases that people are born with. Congenital heart diseases are caused by a persistence in the fetal connection between arterial and venous circulation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
Heart Diseases Part I - Symptoms of Heart Diseases
Beside cancer, heart disease kills more than 2,000 Americans everyday. Approximately 60 million Americans have heart disease. There are many causes of heart disease. Anything that serves to damage the inner lining of blood vessels and impedes the transportation of oxygen and nutrition to the heart can be defined as a risk of heart disease. Here are some early indication of heart disease symptoms:
1. Leg cramps during walking
Leg cramps during exercise might be caused by dehydration. It is important to drink a lot of fluid during exercise. Leg cramps occur when the muscle suddenly and forcefully contracts. The most common muscles to contract in this manner are muscles that cross two joints. Leg cramps during walking might be an indication of heart disease caused by arteries in your leg being clogged up by cholesterol in result of not enough oxygen being delivered to the cells in your leg. If this symptom persists, please consult with your doctor.
2. Chest pain
Chest pain is caused by blood vessels in the heart temporarily being blocked up. It is also caused by inadequate oxygen supply to the heart muscle or coronary . The persistence of chest pain would be an early indication of heart diseases.
3. Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is the major symptom of the left ventricular insufficiency. People with shortness of breath are four times more likely to die from a heart disease related cause than individuals without any symptoms.
4. Headaches
People see sparkling zigzag lines or loss of vision before a migraine attack may be at particular risk of future cardiovascular problems. Generally headaches do not cause heart diseases but a sudden, explosive onset of great pain might be.
5. Dizziness
Dizziness can have many causes including low blood count, low iron in the blood stream and other blood disorders, dehydration, and viral illnesses. Since there are many different conditions that can produce these symptoms, anybody experiencing episodes of severe headaches or dizziness ought to be checked by your doctor.
6. Palpitations
Palpitations is an extremely common symptom of heart disease. Palpitations are skips in the heart beats and irregular heart beats.
7. Loss of consciousness
It is a common symptom, most people pass out at least once in their lives. However, sometimes loss of consciousness indicates a dangerous or even life-threatening condition such as heart disease so when loss of consciousness occurs it is important to figure out the cause.
There are many more symptoms such as fatigue, memory defects, and changes in skin tone and temperature. If you have any of the above symptoms please check with your doctor.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
1. Leg cramps during walking
Leg cramps during exercise might be caused by dehydration. It is important to drink a lot of fluid during exercise. Leg cramps occur when the muscle suddenly and forcefully contracts. The most common muscles to contract in this manner are muscles that cross two joints. Leg cramps during walking might be an indication of heart disease caused by arteries in your leg being clogged up by cholesterol in result of not enough oxygen being delivered to the cells in your leg. If this symptom persists, please consult with your doctor.
2. Chest pain
Chest pain is caused by blood vessels in the heart temporarily being blocked up. It is also caused by inadequate oxygen supply to the heart muscle or coronary . The persistence of chest pain would be an early indication of heart diseases.
3. Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is the major symptom of the left ventricular insufficiency. People with shortness of breath are four times more likely to die from a heart disease related cause than individuals without any symptoms.
4. Headaches
People see sparkling zigzag lines or loss of vision before a migraine attack may be at particular risk of future cardiovascular problems. Generally headaches do not cause heart diseases but a sudden, explosive onset of great pain might be.
5. Dizziness
Dizziness can have many causes including low blood count, low iron in the blood stream and other blood disorders, dehydration, and viral illnesses. Since there are many different conditions that can produce these symptoms, anybody experiencing episodes of severe headaches or dizziness ought to be checked by your doctor.
6. Palpitations
Palpitations is an extremely common symptom of heart disease. Palpitations are skips in the heart beats and irregular heart beats.
7. Loss of consciousness
It is a common symptom, most people pass out at least once in their lives. However, sometimes loss of consciousness indicates a dangerous or even life-threatening condition such as heart disease so when loss of consciousness occurs it is important to figure out the cause.
There are many more symptoms such as fatigue, memory defects, and changes in skin tone and temperature. If you have any of the above symptoms please check with your doctor.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_J_Norton
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Lethal Meals - Postprandial Dysmetabolism and Your Heart
The primary cause of postprandial dysmetabolism is the occurrence of elevated levels of glucose and fats in the bloodstream following the consumption of an unhealthy meal.
The excessive quantities of glucose and lipids that pour into the blood following a high fat, high sugar meal causes a massive release of damaging free radicals and a cascade of pathological, tissue damaging events.
The body's own antioxidants are unable to cope with this deluge of free radicals and a state of oxidative stress ensues. Oxidative stress, in turn, causes the damaging processes that characterize postprandial dysmetabolism.
Characteristics of postprandial dysmetabolism:
- Inflammation: A general inflammatory process occurs that not only aggravates the deposition of LDL (bad) cholesterol but increases the chances of atherosclerotic plaque rupture in the arteries thereby enhancing the risk for a heart attack or stroke.
- Endothelial dysfunction: The endothelium (or lining) of the arteries responds to oxidative stress by signaling the arterial wall to constrict, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Thrombosis: The blood exhibits hypercoagulability - i.e it has a greater tendency to clot and form thromboses in the heart and brain.
- Increased sympathetic nerve activity: Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system causes vasoconstriction and narrowing of the coronary and other arteries.
The characteristics of postpradial dysmetabolism all combine to substantially increase the risk of cardiac and cerebral events both immediately after a meal and in terms of long term atherosclerotic damage to the cardiovascular system.
It is important to note that it is not the high levels of glucose and fats per se that causes the damage. Rather it is a state of oxidative stress resulting from the high levels of glucose and fats that is at the root of the problem.
The prevention of free radical damage and oxidative stress by increasing consumption of anti-oxidant rich foods such as spices is one of the ways in which we can prevent the occurrence of postprandial dysmetabolism.
Although eating substantial quantities of both animal and plant fats will cause a rise in triglyceride levels, not all types of fats or oils will cause oxidative stress. Research has shown that neither canola oil nor salmon oil cause postprandial oxidative stress while animal fats and olive oil do indeed cause this pathological condition.
Does this mean that we have to avoid eating sweet and oily foods completely?
Although the sensible thing would be to substantially reduce the excessive intake of these foods - and it would also help us to lose weight if we needed to do so - there are other ways to obviate the effects of the damaging, postprandial dysmetabolic cascade.
While high blood glucose and triglyceride levels are the primary cause of postprandial dysmetabolism it is the resulting oxidative stress that actually causes damage to the arteries.
And there are effective ways to counter oxidative stress and free radical damage.
Prevention of Postprandial Dysmetabolism
- Eat a diet high in minimally processed foods especially vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, lean protein, vinegar, fish and canola oil.
- Lose excess weight and exercise regularly.
- Do not rest immediately after a meal. Research has shown that there is an increased risk of heart attack in those who rest or sleep immediately after a meal. Light exercise after a meal helps to reduce high glucose and triglyceride levels and thus reduces the effects of postprandial dysmetabolism.
- Spices: Include many different culinary herbs and spices in your diet. Spices have the highest antioxidant activity of all food types, contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds and reverse most of the pathological processes associated with postprandial dysmetabolism: They reduce the rapid absorption of fat and sugar from the gut, control high blood sugar, have strong anti-inflammatory properties, help dilate the arteries, inhibit the deposition of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the arteries and lessen the risk of thrombus formation.
The discovery of postprandial dysmetabolism has increased our understanding of the crucial role that the immediate effects of a meal play in the causation of cardiovascular disease. However it has also provided us with simple, effective measures that we can take to prevent this injurious condition from occurring.
Keith Scott is a medical doctor who has a particular interest in nutrition. He is the author of several books including the best selling Natural Home Pharmacy and more recently the ground breaking, Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power of Spices.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Keith_Scott
The excessive quantities of glucose and lipids that pour into the blood following a high fat, high sugar meal causes a massive release of damaging free radicals and a cascade of pathological, tissue damaging events.
The body's own antioxidants are unable to cope with this deluge of free radicals and a state of oxidative stress ensues. Oxidative stress, in turn, causes the damaging processes that characterize postprandial dysmetabolism.
Characteristics of postprandial dysmetabolism:
- Inflammation: A general inflammatory process occurs that not only aggravates the deposition of LDL (bad) cholesterol but increases the chances of atherosclerotic plaque rupture in the arteries thereby enhancing the risk for a heart attack or stroke.
- Endothelial dysfunction: The endothelium (or lining) of the arteries responds to oxidative stress by signaling the arterial wall to constrict, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Thrombosis: The blood exhibits hypercoagulability - i.e it has a greater tendency to clot and form thromboses in the heart and brain.
- Increased sympathetic nerve activity: Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system causes vasoconstriction and narrowing of the coronary and other arteries.
The characteristics of postpradial dysmetabolism all combine to substantially increase the risk of cardiac and cerebral events both immediately after a meal and in terms of long term atherosclerotic damage to the cardiovascular system.
It is important to note that it is not the high levels of glucose and fats per se that causes the damage. Rather it is a state of oxidative stress resulting from the high levels of glucose and fats that is at the root of the problem.
The prevention of free radical damage and oxidative stress by increasing consumption of anti-oxidant rich foods such as spices is one of the ways in which we can prevent the occurrence of postprandial dysmetabolism.
Although eating substantial quantities of both animal and plant fats will cause a rise in triglyceride levels, not all types of fats or oils will cause oxidative stress. Research has shown that neither canola oil nor salmon oil cause postprandial oxidative stress while animal fats and olive oil do indeed cause this pathological condition.
Does this mean that we have to avoid eating sweet and oily foods completely?
Although the sensible thing would be to substantially reduce the excessive intake of these foods - and it would also help us to lose weight if we needed to do so - there are other ways to obviate the effects of the damaging, postprandial dysmetabolic cascade.
While high blood glucose and triglyceride levels are the primary cause of postprandial dysmetabolism it is the resulting oxidative stress that actually causes damage to the arteries.
And there are effective ways to counter oxidative stress and free radical damage.
Prevention of Postprandial Dysmetabolism
- Eat a diet high in minimally processed foods especially vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, lean protein, vinegar, fish and canola oil.
- Lose excess weight and exercise regularly.
- Do not rest immediately after a meal. Research has shown that there is an increased risk of heart attack in those who rest or sleep immediately after a meal. Light exercise after a meal helps to reduce high glucose and triglyceride levels and thus reduces the effects of postprandial dysmetabolism.
- Spices: Include many different culinary herbs and spices in your diet. Spices have the highest antioxidant activity of all food types, contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds and reverse most of the pathological processes associated with postprandial dysmetabolism: They reduce the rapid absorption of fat and sugar from the gut, control high blood sugar, have strong anti-inflammatory properties, help dilate the arteries, inhibit the deposition of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the arteries and lessen the risk of thrombus formation.
The discovery of postprandial dysmetabolism has increased our understanding of the crucial role that the immediate effects of a meal play in the causation of cardiovascular disease. However it has also provided us with simple, effective measures that we can take to prevent this injurious condition from occurring.
Keith Scott is a medical doctor who has a particular interest in nutrition. He is the author of several books including the best selling Natural Home Pharmacy and more recently the ground breaking, Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power of Spices.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Keith_Scott
Understanding Pacemakers
A pacemaker is a device that helps to regulate the heart beat. Most individuals who need this device are older or are suffering from a particular heart condition. It helps to understand how the heart works and where the pacemaker fits into the entire scheme of things.
The heart is regulated through different electrical pulses. Naturally, the heart is regulated through electrical pulses that travel from the top of the heart to the bottom. This succession of pulses creates enough pressure to move oxygenated blood through the heart.
At times the heart slows or is irregular. It is at this point that getting a pacemaker is imperative. Individuals who have this problem usually experience dizziness, momentary blackouts and fainting spells. Some of the more urgent and serious symptoms include severe chest pain and blurred vision.
Usually, meeting with a heart specialist who has had experience in dealing with these matters is the best way to handle such a situation. He will be able to determine exactly what type of pacemaker that you will require. Choosing the correct pacemaker will ensure that your heartbeat gets back on track.
Pacemakers usually have two components: a generator and a lead. A generator is usually connected to battery as it creates an electrical current that regulates the pulse of the heart. Leads carry the pulse from the generator to the heart in order to stimulate the muscle.
There are three kinds of pacemakers: single chamber pacemakers, dual chambers, and rate responsive pacemakers. Each one serves a different purpose in the context of how they help the heart restore a natural heart beat. The single chamber pacemaker applies electrical current either to the top or the bottom of the heart, depending on which part of the heart needs the most attention. Dual chamber pacemakers apply electrical currents to both areas of the heart, stimulating the entire thing. The rate-responsive pacemaker applies electrical currents depending up the rate of the heart. Sensors can detect whether or not the heart's beat rate needs to be increased, or needs to be reduced, and then applies stimulation accordingly.
The unfortunate thing about pacemakers is that the device is only as good as the manufacturer has made it. Medtronic, one of the leading makers of heart pacemakers, has had a history of making devices that malfunction at the most inopportune time. So people have died as a result. If you would like more information regarding pacemakers, feel free to visit http://www.medtroniclawsuitattorney.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
The heart is regulated through different electrical pulses. Naturally, the heart is regulated through electrical pulses that travel from the top of the heart to the bottom. This succession of pulses creates enough pressure to move oxygenated blood through the heart.
At times the heart slows or is irregular. It is at this point that getting a pacemaker is imperative. Individuals who have this problem usually experience dizziness, momentary blackouts and fainting spells. Some of the more urgent and serious symptoms include severe chest pain and blurred vision.
Usually, meeting with a heart specialist who has had experience in dealing with these matters is the best way to handle such a situation. He will be able to determine exactly what type of pacemaker that you will require. Choosing the correct pacemaker will ensure that your heartbeat gets back on track.
Pacemakers usually have two components: a generator and a lead. A generator is usually connected to battery as it creates an electrical current that regulates the pulse of the heart. Leads carry the pulse from the generator to the heart in order to stimulate the muscle.
There are three kinds of pacemakers: single chamber pacemakers, dual chambers, and rate responsive pacemakers. Each one serves a different purpose in the context of how they help the heart restore a natural heart beat. The single chamber pacemaker applies electrical current either to the top or the bottom of the heart, depending on which part of the heart needs the most attention. Dual chamber pacemakers apply electrical currents to both areas of the heart, stimulating the entire thing. The rate-responsive pacemaker applies electrical currents depending up the rate of the heart. Sensors can detect whether or not the heart's beat rate needs to be increased, or needs to be reduced, and then applies stimulation accordingly.
The unfortunate thing about pacemakers is that the device is only as good as the manufacturer has made it. Medtronic, one of the leading makers of heart pacemakers, has had a history of making devices that malfunction at the most inopportune time. So people have died as a result. If you would like more information regarding pacemakers, feel free to visit http://www.medtroniclawsuitattorney.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
Cardiovascular Diseases
The cardiovascular diseases are those diseases which are caused by disorders of heart and blood vessels. Coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and failure of heart came under the category of cardiovascular diseases.
Most of the western countries face the high and increasing rate of cardiovascular diseases. More people are killed by this disease every year as compare to cancer. A survey concludes that diseases of the heart alone caused 30% of all deaths, with other diseases of the cardiovascular system causing substantial further death and disability. Every 2 out of 3 cardiac deaths occur without any diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.
After a survey it was conclude that this is the prime cause of death and disability in the United States and most European countries. A large histological study (PDAY) showed vascular injury accumulates from adolescence and makes primary prevention efforts necessary from childhood. An estimated concludes that17.5 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2005 and this is about the 30 % of all global deaths. 7.6 million out of these were died due to heart attacks and 5.7 million were due to stroke.
Around 80% of these deaths occurred in developing or under developed countries as they have low and middle income. If not step is taken against it then according to an estimate, by 2015, 20 million people will die from cardiovascular disease every year and most of them will be from heart attacks and strokes.
Causes- The cause of cardiovascular disease is a blockage that prevents blood to go to the heart or to the brain. The most important and main cause of cardiovascular disease is build up of fatty deposits in the inner wall of blood vessels. In this particular condition, blood vessels become narrower and less broad and heart doesn't receive the blood. In that case it results to failure of heart.
Reasons- The major reasons of having cardiovascular disease are tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. An early form of fatty deposits, which is known as fatty streaks can also be found in children. Some children may be younger than 10 years. These deposits get slowly worse as the person gets older.
Helpful tips- If you are obese or overweight then it increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. To maintain an ideal body weight, you should take regular physical activity and eat a healthy diet.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_John_Anne
Most of the western countries face the high and increasing rate of cardiovascular diseases. More people are killed by this disease every year as compare to cancer. A survey concludes that diseases of the heart alone caused 30% of all deaths, with other diseases of the cardiovascular system causing substantial further death and disability. Every 2 out of 3 cardiac deaths occur without any diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.
After a survey it was conclude that this is the prime cause of death and disability in the United States and most European countries. A large histological study (PDAY) showed vascular injury accumulates from adolescence and makes primary prevention efforts necessary from childhood. An estimated concludes that17.5 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2005 and this is about the 30 % of all global deaths. 7.6 million out of these were died due to heart attacks and 5.7 million were due to stroke.
Around 80% of these deaths occurred in developing or under developed countries as they have low and middle income. If not step is taken against it then according to an estimate, by 2015, 20 million people will die from cardiovascular disease every year and most of them will be from heart attacks and strokes.
Causes- The cause of cardiovascular disease is a blockage that prevents blood to go to the heart or to the brain. The most important and main cause of cardiovascular disease is build up of fatty deposits in the inner wall of blood vessels. In this particular condition, blood vessels become narrower and less broad and heart doesn't receive the blood. In that case it results to failure of heart.
Reasons- The major reasons of having cardiovascular disease are tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. An early form of fatty deposits, which is known as fatty streaks can also be found in children. Some children may be younger than 10 years. These deposits get slowly worse as the person gets older.
Helpful tips- If you are obese or overweight then it increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. To maintain an ideal body weight, you should take regular physical activity and eat a healthy diet.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_John_Anne
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
What is Coronary Bypass Surgery Like?
Heart disease is rampant in our country. The causes are mainly heredity, diet or other diseases. Smoking does not help the situation. Some can overcome the problems of heart disease by diet and exercise plus supervision of medications by trained physicians. For many of us however, we find ourselves in the hospital before any heart symptoms were noted by medical people and we undergo coronary bypass surgery.
Coronary bypass surgery occurs daily in the United States. The object of the process is to bypass blocked arteries with veins taken from the leg. The left internal mammary artery can be freed from the inside of the breast and used to bypass. The heart is stopped during the process and a heart-lung machine provides oxygenated blood to the heart. The process may be open-heart surgery or by other less intrusive techniques such as "Minimally Invasive" bypass surgery. The later depends on the availability of the procedure in your area. Also, if the process is not working correctly in the operating room, you my end up with conventional bypass surgery.
The length of hospital stay is usually less than a week and is similar by both procedures. The first time I had bypass surgery, my stay was one week. The second time which included aortic valve replacement, I was in the hospital for three weeks because of complications.
During the hospital stay and after the patient is in rehabilitation at home, training is given in diet, stress control along with physical recovery training. After my first heart surgery, I went through a 10-week period of physical and other training at a local hospital. After my second surgery, I was put on a tread mill in the hospital a few times to help regain my balance and strength. I was given no further activity after returning home. I was given some instruction in the hospital on dieting and life style.
Your surgery wounds will partly heal in the hospital. If you chest was opened, that will be your main concern. You need to learn how to prevent injury in that area. This means that you must learn to turn over in bed without straining your chest. Just standing up can be a problem. I suffered coughing after my first surgery and that did not help the situation. My chest wound did not heal properly and a large nuisance growth developed which was removed during my second surgery leaving a weak area which is now herniated. That is not all that common. My surgeon told me that those who have herniation in the chest area do not usually have painful repair surgery. I didn't either. I'm allowed to lift less than fifty pounds, I can still bring in the groceries and cut the lawn (which I don't) so I don't worry about it.
Your second concern is the wound in your leg or legs where the veins used in the procedure were extracted. You will have a long scar on the inside of your leg. Most people have little trouble with this. You may have pain near the ankle which is minor and does not seem to go away. It may only be tender to the touch. When my dear wife rubs my legs and feet everyday, she sometimes hits a tender spot.
Smoking and obesity are the two main things that you need to avoid after surgery. You should take medications as prescribed by your doctor. Vitamin E is now out of favor and should not be used as a supplement. You get plenty from your regular diet and the daily multivitamin you should be taking. Avoid all saturated fats and trans-fats. At least limit the saturated fats. B-vitamins are sometimes recommended. There are foods like olive oil, avocados, grapefruit, nuts, etc. that are good for the heart.
A procedure that occurs before bypass surgery is the angiogram. It determines which arteries are blocked. After the results of that are in, discuss your options with one or more doctors. You may be able to avoid bypass surgery so don't be too hasty in making the decision. By proper medication and eating like a rabbit plus exercise, you may be able to reverse the progression of heart disease which blocks the arteries. I did not make this decision. Two of my sons and my son-in-law are doctors and they made the decisions for me.
I felt completely relaxed before I went into surgery for the first bypass surgery and also before the second bypass surgery and aortic valve replacement. I remember everything that occurred before the first surgery including the work of the anesthesiologist and being wheeled into the operating room full of doctors, technicians and equipment. I have no recollection whatsoever prior to the second surgery.
Before the first surgery, I had a religious vision in the morning just as I was waking up. Another patient had a similar vision which he described to me when we were in rehabilitation. Our dreams seemed to be related to our religious affiliation. I don't know how common this phenomenon is. There was no vision before or after the second surgery.
After both surgeries, I woke up in Intensive Care, not the recovery room. I don't remember this after the second surgery. You are uncomfortable for a day or two and then you are up and around again. This did also did not occur after my second surgery. Complications kept me in intensive care for about three weeks. I also had horrible visions of war, etc., for weeks which my son said was due to the long surgery the second time around.
Other than removing any drain tubes and the external wires to the pacemaker, no other procedures are needed after surgery. The nurses will have to care for you for a few days but then you can handle things on your own.
I recovered rapidly after my first surgery and was home in one week. Unfortunately, I was told to take an antihistamine to which I became allergic. It was two months before I got back to work.
I was taught in the hospital how to regulate my diet but most of that training was again given to me after I got home. I was shown how much meat I could eat and how I needed all of the food groups and that I must chew my food. I was given 10 weeks of rehabilitation at the local hospital.
Staying away from work was the best thing I could do because of the stress situations.
My neighbor owned his own business, had bypass surgery and was back in the office in two weeks.
My friend here in Idaho had bypass a couple of months ago. He's a farmer and other than being unable to left much weight, he is back in the field.
Depression can set in after heart surgery. It usually disappears shortly thereafter. I had no such problem but I saw the symptoms in others.
After surgery, take your medications, watch your weight and don't smoke. If you are well enough, get some exercise. And keep a smile on your face even if you have to watch Three Stooges movies.
The thing that concerns me most is that heart disease is not always detected until a heart attack occurs. If you have a family with a history of heart trouble more careful monitoring is required. Talk to your doctor.
How long does bypass surgery last? You usually get a "guarantee" from your surgeon for 10 years. I went 12 years but I had to have a valve replaced or I would not have had the second bypass that soon. Of the three bypasses first given to me, only one had to be replaced the second time and that was a minor procedure because the technicians that did that part of the surgery could use the stubs of my old graphs. I know people who had bypass twenty years ago with no repeats.
My main problem has been avoiding obesity. I blame the computer.
Good health to you!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_T_Jones,_Ph.D.
Coronary bypass surgery occurs daily in the United States. The object of the process is to bypass blocked arteries with veins taken from the leg. The left internal mammary artery can be freed from the inside of the breast and used to bypass. The heart is stopped during the process and a heart-lung machine provides oxygenated blood to the heart. The process may be open-heart surgery or by other less intrusive techniques such as "Minimally Invasive" bypass surgery. The later depends on the availability of the procedure in your area. Also, if the process is not working correctly in the operating room, you my end up with conventional bypass surgery.
The length of hospital stay is usually less than a week and is similar by both procedures. The first time I had bypass surgery, my stay was one week. The second time which included aortic valve replacement, I was in the hospital for three weeks because of complications.
During the hospital stay and after the patient is in rehabilitation at home, training is given in diet, stress control along with physical recovery training. After my first heart surgery, I went through a 10-week period of physical and other training at a local hospital. After my second surgery, I was put on a tread mill in the hospital a few times to help regain my balance and strength. I was given no further activity after returning home. I was given some instruction in the hospital on dieting and life style.
Your surgery wounds will partly heal in the hospital. If you chest was opened, that will be your main concern. You need to learn how to prevent injury in that area. This means that you must learn to turn over in bed without straining your chest. Just standing up can be a problem. I suffered coughing after my first surgery and that did not help the situation. My chest wound did not heal properly and a large nuisance growth developed which was removed during my second surgery leaving a weak area which is now herniated. That is not all that common. My surgeon told me that those who have herniation in the chest area do not usually have painful repair surgery. I didn't either. I'm allowed to lift less than fifty pounds, I can still bring in the groceries and cut the lawn (which I don't) so I don't worry about it.
Your second concern is the wound in your leg or legs where the veins used in the procedure were extracted. You will have a long scar on the inside of your leg. Most people have little trouble with this. You may have pain near the ankle which is minor and does not seem to go away. It may only be tender to the touch. When my dear wife rubs my legs and feet everyday, she sometimes hits a tender spot.
Smoking and obesity are the two main things that you need to avoid after surgery. You should take medications as prescribed by your doctor. Vitamin E is now out of favor and should not be used as a supplement. You get plenty from your regular diet and the daily multivitamin you should be taking. Avoid all saturated fats and trans-fats. At least limit the saturated fats. B-vitamins are sometimes recommended. There are foods like olive oil, avocados, grapefruit, nuts, etc. that are good for the heart.
A procedure that occurs before bypass surgery is the angiogram. It determines which arteries are blocked. After the results of that are in, discuss your options with one or more doctors. You may be able to avoid bypass surgery so don't be too hasty in making the decision. By proper medication and eating like a rabbit plus exercise, you may be able to reverse the progression of heart disease which blocks the arteries. I did not make this decision. Two of my sons and my son-in-law are doctors and they made the decisions for me.
I felt completely relaxed before I went into surgery for the first bypass surgery and also before the second bypass surgery and aortic valve replacement. I remember everything that occurred before the first surgery including the work of the anesthesiologist and being wheeled into the operating room full of doctors, technicians and equipment. I have no recollection whatsoever prior to the second surgery.
Before the first surgery, I had a religious vision in the morning just as I was waking up. Another patient had a similar vision which he described to me when we were in rehabilitation. Our dreams seemed to be related to our religious affiliation. I don't know how common this phenomenon is. There was no vision before or after the second surgery.
After both surgeries, I woke up in Intensive Care, not the recovery room. I don't remember this after the second surgery. You are uncomfortable for a day or two and then you are up and around again. This did also did not occur after my second surgery. Complications kept me in intensive care for about three weeks. I also had horrible visions of war, etc., for weeks which my son said was due to the long surgery the second time around.
Other than removing any drain tubes and the external wires to the pacemaker, no other procedures are needed after surgery. The nurses will have to care for you for a few days but then you can handle things on your own.
I recovered rapidly after my first surgery and was home in one week. Unfortunately, I was told to take an antihistamine to which I became allergic. It was two months before I got back to work.
I was taught in the hospital how to regulate my diet but most of that training was again given to me after I got home. I was shown how much meat I could eat and how I needed all of the food groups and that I must chew my food. I was given 10 weeks of rehabilitation at the local hospital.
Staying away from work was the best thing I could do because of the stress situations.
My neighbor owned his own business, had bypass surgery and was back in the office in two weeks.
My friend here in Idaho had bypass a couple of months ago. He's a farmer and other than being unable to left much weight, he is back in the field.
Depression can set in after heart surgery. It usually disappears shortly thereafter. I had no such problem but I saw the symptoms in others.
After surgery, take your medications, watch your weight and don't smoke. If you are well enough, get some exercise. And keep a smile on your face even if you have to watch Three Stooges movies.
The thing that concerns me most is that heart disease is not always detected until a heart attack occurs. If you have a family with a history of heart trouble more careful monitoring is required. Talk to your doctor.
How long does bypass surgery last? You usually get a "guarantee" from your surgeon for 10 years. I went 12 years but I had to have a valve replaced or I would not have had the second bypass that soon. Of the three bypasses first given to me, only one had to be replaced the second time and that was a minor procedure because the technicians that did that part of the surgery could use the stubs of my old graphs. I know people who had bypass twenty years ago with no repeats.
My main problem has been avoiding obesity. I blame the computer.
Good health to you!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_T_Jones,_Ph.D.
Heart Bypass Surgery
A heart bypass surgery is considered to be the most anticipated and studied procedure in the surgical field of medicine. This type of surgery is an option mostly by men in middle age to relieve blocked coronary arteries therefore restoring normal blood circulation. But does this operation really needed? Valued? Major studies in Europe and US revealed that 45% of these operations are not really needed and some are questionable. Thus, it may be deduced that avoiding heart bypass surgery is also a good option of a patient.
Coronary bypass is a surgery that has become popular even before studies have really proven its capability and effectiveness. That is why year after year the number of patients undergoing the surgery is increasing. This could be a classic example of going with the trend of treatment rather than really determining if the procedure is really needed. Although there are some significant findings of comparing the surgery vs. drug therapy where it favored the later, many of the doctors and patients opted to do the procedure. Also, despite of the high cost, which is roughly around $40,000 up, by the way, coronary bypass is considered one of the most expensive operations or surgeries in the US, but still many are undergoing the operation. Today, many surgical surgeons are making a study to prove that this procedure is really not needed and that avoiding heart bypass operation is possible. With today's high technology and modernization processes, the heightened research and development in the medical field and the rising specialization and skills development of medical practitioners, it is possible that in the coming years, a heat bypass may not be necessary. Drugs, therapy, and maybe less drastic procedures and surgeries, which maybe affordable by the patients are all that a heart patient needs.
Another thing to note about the heart bypass surgeries is that it is not a cure but just relieving the symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath brought about by the clogging of the blood vessel. Clogged arteries are bypassed using healthy blood vessels grafted and used to redirect the flow of blood away from the clogged area. Because it provides no cure of the underlying cause of the disease, studies revealed that 40% of patients who had undergone the surgery experienced again clogging of the conditions. On a positive note, the procedure proved to be effective to most severe or advanced angina cases but not for those who have mild angina. In a way, avoiding heart bypass operation can be a goal for those with mild coronary artery clogging problems.
What better to do in avoiding heart bypass operation could be to seek a second opinion. Aside from the high expense that maybe incurred, as this is a heart operation, this is a life-threatening procedure that could mean taking a high risk on the patient.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_B._Adams
Coronary bypass is a surgery that has become popular even before studies have really proven its capability and effectiveness. That is why year after year the number of patients undergoing the surgery is increasing. This could be a classic example of going with the trend of treatment rather than really determining if the procedure is really needed. Although there are some significant findings of comparing the surgery vs. drug therapy where it favored the later, many of the doctors and patients opted to do the procedure. Also, despite of the high cost, which is roughly around $40,000 up, by the way, coronary bypass is considered one of the most expensive operations or surgeries in the US, but still many are undergoing the operation. Today, many surgical surgeons are making a study to prove that this procedure is really not needed and that avoiding heart bypass operation is possible. With today's high technology and modernization processes, the heightened research and development in the medical field and the rising specialization and skills development of medical practitioners, it is possible that in the coming years, a heat bypass may not be necessary. Drugs, therapy, and maybe less drastic procedures and surgeries, which maybe affordable by the patients are all that a heart patient needs.
Another thing to note about the heart bypass surgeries is that it is not a cure but just relieving the symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath brought about by the clogging of the blood vessel. Clogged arteries are bypassed using healthy blood vessels grafted and used to redirect the flow of blood away from the clogged area. Because it provides no cure of the underlying cause of the disease, studies revealed that 40% of patients who had undergone the surgery experienced again clogging of the conditions. On a positive note, the procedure proved to be effective to most severe or advanced angina cases but not for those who have mild angina. In a way, avoiding heart bypass operation can be a goal for those with mild coronary artery clogging problems.
What better to do in avoiding heart bypass operation could be to seek a second opinion. Aside from the high expense that maybe incurred, as this is a heart operation, this is a life-threatening procedure that could mean taking a high risk on the patient.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_B._Adams
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Heart Diseases Symptoms – A Brief Overview
Heart disease can be caused by many different things and comes in many different forms. When the heart valve becomes diseased, one of two things happens: it doesn’t close tightly enough (called incompetence) to keep blood from backing up into the chamber from which it flowed; or, it doesn’t open widely enough (called stenosis) to allow adequate amounts of blood to flow into the chamber.
Heart disease is very common. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The tendency to develop heart disease can be genetic. However, certain lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and stress make a big difference in whether or not a person will develop heart disease.
Many of the symptoms of heart attack can be brought on by digestive disturbances or other less serious conditions. But only sophisticated medical tests can determine for sure if you're having a heart attack. Heart attacks may vary from person to person, and from heart attack to heart attack. Women, for example, may experience "atypical' symptoms such as pain between the shoulder blades rather than crushing chest pain. This may result in them delaying seeking treatment. That is a great mistake.
Heart disease symptoms can be hard to recognize. You may not have any symptoms, or you may experience chest pain and shortness of breath, especially with physical exertion. Heart disease symptoms can be different in women. It's important to know when it might be an emergency.
Signs and symptoms of heart disease occur when plaque buildup in the coronary arteries causes a reduction in blood flow to the heart. You can have heart disease for many years without experiencing symptoms. Often, the first symptom comes in the form of a heart attack. Other common heart disease symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, faster heartbeats, and dizziness.
Symptoms of heart disease in the case of arrhythmias usually occur when one realizes that his or her heart is occasionally missing a beat. Often these are harmless palpitations which are caused by an excessive consumption of stimulants such as caffeine. However, one should go to a doctor to rule out symptoms of heart disease. Arrhythmias are the result of heart valve problems, which might be indicative of damage to the valve itself. They are often cured by a “shock” which may regulate heart beats, but there is a risk in this treatment, since a clot could become dislodged and cause a heart attack or stroke.
Anybody can have heart disease. It is how we take care of our heart that actually lessens the chance we have coronary heart diseases like atherosclerosis (blockage of blood in the artery), ischaemic heart disease (reduction of blood supply to the heart), cardiovascular disease (often involving the heart and the blood vessels), and pulmonary heart disease (failure of the right side of the heart to function.)
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Heart disease is very common. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The tendency to develop heart disease can be genetic. However, certain lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and stress make a big difference in whether or not a person will develop heart disease.
Many of the symptoms of heart attack can be brought on by digestive disturbances or other less serious conditions. But only sophisticated medical tests can determine for sure if you're having a heart attack. Heart attacks may vary from person to person, and from heart attack to heart attack. Women, for example, may experience "atypical' symptoms such as pain between the shoulder blades rather than crushing chest pain. This may result in them delaying seeking treatment. That is a great mistake.
Heart disease symptoms can be hard to recognize. You may not have any symptoms, or you may experience chest pain and shortness of breath, especially with physical exertion. Heart disease symptoms can be different in women. It's important to know when it might be an emergency.
Signs and symptoms of heart disease occur when plaque buildup in the coronary arteries causes a reduction in blood flow to the heart. You can have heart disease for many years without experiencing symptoms. Often, the first symptom comes in the form of a heart attack. Other common heart disease symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, faster heartbeats, and dizziness.
Symptoms of heart disease in the case of arrhythmias usually occur when one realizes that his or her heart is occasionally missing a beat. Often these are harmless palpitations which are caused by an excessive consumption of stimulants such as caffeine. However, one should go to a doctor to rule out symptoms of heart disease. Arrhythmias are the result of heart valve problems, which might be indicative of damage to the valve itself. They are often cured by a “shock” which may regulate heart beats, but there is a risk in this treatment, since a clot could become dislodged and cause a heart attack or stroke.
Anybody can have heart disease. It is how we take care of our heart that actually lessens the chance we have coronary heart diseases like atherosclerosis (blockage of blood in the artery), ischaemic heart disease (reduction of blood supply to the heart), cardiovascular disease (often involving the heart and the blood vessels), and pulmonary heart disease (failure of the right side of the heart to function.)
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
An Overview Of Heart Diseases
One of the most widely recognized causes of premature death worldwide today is heart disease. Although this may sound very depressing, the reality is that the incidence of premature deaths caused by heart disease has significantly declined in recent years. Although progress has been made in the treatment of heart disease, additional effort needs to be made to prevent this illness as much as possible. Heart disease often takes a toll on the sufferer's and his family's lives. Treating heart disease can also be very complicated, requiring specialized human resources, equipment and medication. The costs of such treatments are also very high. In summary, prevention is better than the cure. Let's now review the other factors.
Who Are At Risk?
People who have a family history of heart disease are probably the most at risk. So, bear in mind that if hereditary heart disease is prevalent in your family it would probably be a wise step to discuss this aspect with your doctor and to have regular annual appointments with him to check for potential problems. Be assured that if you do this, your chances of circumventing heart disease will be so much better.
Heart Disease Is A Leading Cause For Fatalities
Although more men are prone to heart disease than women, it is the most widely recognized cause of death in women. Strangely enough the observation that women live longer than men is also still true. Women therefore have to take certain measures to prevent the onset and development of heart disease.
Recognition Of The Problem Often Occurs Too Late
Doctors and specialists today, armed with improved technologies, are able to diagnose and treat heart disease more comprehensively than ever in the past. Unfortunately, by the time most people realize that they are suffering from heart disease, it would have escalated to an advanced stage that poses a treatment challenge for physicians. Often the onset of the illness only comes to light when the person has already been afflicted by a stroke or heart attack.
Of the many contributing factors of heart disease in people, smoking cigarettes is the most critical. Other factors such as elevated blood cholesterol levels as well as obesity, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyles and diabetes heighten the incidence of heart disease. The person who does not deny these risk factors will have a better understanding and chance of survival should he or she be afflicted by some form of heart disease. Obviously it will mean making some necessary lifestyle changes.
Tremendous advances in medical technology have been made in many areas and also in terms of treatment protocols for sufferers of coronary heart disease. The development of drugs specifically designed to prevent heart attacks has increased and are readily available. Surgical techniques have advanced tremendously since the days of Dr. Chris Barnard and the first heart transplant. Both drug and surgery treatment protocols are designed for the elimination of heart problems and the restoration of proper heart function. The success of these developments is documented by the sharp decline of fatalities due to heart disease.
Steps Forward In Dealing With Heart Disease
Many new preventive measures have been developed to reduce the problems associated with heart disease. In addition to the advances in medical treatment for people suffering from heart disease, public awareness for these illnesses has increased dramatically. People are educating themselves with regards to the good benefits of a healthy lifestyle, staying away from smoking and drugs and working out to a cardiovascular exercise routine that is specifically designed to exercise the heart to make it stronger.
This statement by no means indicates that heart disease is not a serious threat, or that heart disease can be circumvented with minor treatment programs. Not at all! Heart disease is a serious health condition the danger of which can never be underplayed. But it is interesting and important to realize that heart disease is no longer the death threat that it was in years gone by.
Check Ups Can Prevent Heart Problems
Regular examinations by the doctor will not prevent heart disease from happening, but these examinations may have a significant impact on your heath if they are able to nip a heart problem in the bud before it becomes serious. This makes sense with regards to any illness. Detecting heart disease early in its developmental stages can motivate the patient to obtain treatment as a matter of urgency. When treatment is received promptly, the higher the chances are to successfully treat the heart disease before it turns out to be life threatening. Because this is so important regular - at least annual - checkups are necessary for those who might be at risk for heart disease.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Who Are At Risk?
People who have a family history of heart disease are probably the most at risk. So, bear in mind that if hereditary heart disease is prevalent in your family it would probably be a wise step to discuss this aspect with your doctor and to have regular annual appointments with him to check for potential problems. Be assured that if you do this, your chances of circumventing heart disease will be so much better.
Heart Disease Is A Leading Cause For Fatalities
Although more men are prone to heart disease than women, it is the most widely recognized cause of death in women. Strangely enough the observation that women live longer than men is also still true. Women therefore have to take certain measures to prevent the onset and development of heart disease.
Recognition Of The Problem Often Occurs Too Late
Doctors and specialists today, armed with improved technologies, are able to diagnose and treat heart disease more comprehensively than ever in the past. Unfortunately, by the time most people realize that they are suffering from heart disease, it would have escalated to an advanced stage that poses a treatment challenge for physicians. Often the onset of the illness only comes to light when the person has already been afflicted by a stroke or heart attack.
Of the many contributing factors of heart disease in people, smoking cigarettes is the most critical. Other factors such as elevated blood cholesterol levels as well as obesity, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyles and diabetes heighten the incidence of heart disease. The person who does not deny these risk factors will have a better understanding and chance of survival should he or she be afflicted by some form of heart disease. Obviously it will mean making some necessary lifestyle changes.
Tremendous advances in medical technology have been made in many areas and also in terms of treatment protocols for sufferers of coronary heart disease. The development of drugs specifically designed to prevent heart attacks has increased and are readily available. Surgical techniques have advanced tremendously since the days of Dr. Chris Barnard and the first heart transplant. Both drug and surgery treatment protocols are designed for the elimination of heart problems and the restoration of proper heart function. The success of these developments is documented by the sharp decline of fatalities due to heart disease.
Steps Forward In Dealing With Heart Disease
Many new preventive measures have been developed to reduce the problems associated with heart disease. In addition to the advances in medical treatment for people suffering from heart disease, public awareness for these illnesses has increased dramatically. People are educating themselves with regards to the good benefits of a healthy lifestyle, staying away from smoking and drugs and working out to a cardiovascular exercise routine that is specifically designed to exercise the heart to make it stronger.
This statement by no means indicates that heart disease is not a serious threat, or that heart disease can be circumvented with minor treatment programs. Not at all! Heart disease is a serious health condition the danger of which can never be underplayed. But it is interesting and important to realize that heart disease is no longer the death threat that it was in years gone by.
Check Ups Can Prevent Heart Problems
Regular examinations by the doctor will not prevent heart disease from happening, but these examinations may have a significant impact on your heath if they are able to nip a heart problem in the bud before it becomes serious. This makes sense with regards to any illness. Detecting heart disease early in its developmental stages can motivate the patient to obtain treatment as a matter of urgency. When treatment is received promptly, the higher the chances are to successfully treat the heart disease before it turns out to be life threatening. Because this is so important regular - at least annual - checkups are necessary for those who might be at risk for heart disease.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Heart Disease - Public Enemy Number 1?
INTRODUCTION: Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and its blood vessels. Also called cardiovascular disease, it mainly affects older people and indicates that there are problems with the heart and blood vessels.
It has become the leading cause of death in the United States, is a major cause of disability, doesn't go away, but by working with your doctor, you can live longer and feel better. Types of cardiovascular disease include: Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks.
In 2003, almost twice as many females died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers put together. The older she gets, the more likely she is to have cardiovascular disease; however women of all ages should be concerned.
African American and Hispanic American/Latina females are more prone to get heart disease because they tend to have a greater number of risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes than White females. Women of color are also more likely to die of the disease.
Having diabetes elevates your chances of developing heart disease and high levels of triglycerides are linked to the disease in some people. Also Being obese increases your risk. Chest or arm pain or discomfort can be a symptom of cardiovascular problems and a warning sign of an actual or impending heart attack.
If your father or brother had a heart attack before age 55, or if your mom had one before age 65, you're more likely to get heart disease. Birth control pills can present risks for some women, especially women older than 35, women with elevated blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol and those who smoke.
Nearly 700,000 people die of heart disease in the United States a year. You can find out more about heart disease by calling the National Women's Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662.
The chance of developing coronary disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those factors that put people at larger risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack. The very best ways to prevent the disease are to control high blood pressure, diabetes or a elevated cholesterol level and, if you smoke, stop smoking.
CHOLESTEROL: What does a high level of cholesterol have to do with heart disease? It can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting necessary blood. People with high blood cholesterol or elevated blood triglycerides often have no symptoms, so have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked often. If your levels are high, talk to your physician about what you can do to lower them. You may be able to decrease your levels by eating better and exercising more, if not, your physician may prescribe medication to lower and bring it under control.
When there is excess cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries, forming plaque and causing blood clots. There are basically 2 types of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is frequently called the "bad" type because it can block the arteries that carry blood to your heart. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is called the "good" type because it takes the bad cholesterol out of your blood and stops it from building up in your arteries.
All women 20 years of age and older should have their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at least once every five years. If you are overweight, losing weight can help reduce your total cholesterol and LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels.
Try to consume more foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Skim (fat-free) or low-fat (1%) milk and cheeses, and low-fat or nonfat yogurt, Fruits and vegetables (try for five a day), Cereals, breads, rice, and pasta created from whole grains (such as "whole-wheat" or "whole-grain" bread and pasta, rye bread, brown rice, and oatmeal), Limit consumption of organ meats (liver, kidney, brains), Egg yolks, Fats (butter, lard) and oils, Packaged and processed foods.
There are 2 diets that may help reduce your cholesterol: Heart Healthy Diet and Therapeutic Lifestyles Changes (TLC) Diet. Exercise can help reduce LDL ("bad cholesterol") and raise HDL ("good cholesterol"). If your MD has prescribed medicine to reduce your cholesterol, take it exactly as you have been told to.
CONCLUSION: Heart disease is not contagious - you can't get it like you can the flu or a cold. It is a general term that refers to a variety of acute and chronic medical diseases that affect one or more of the components of the heart. The signs you describe to your physician will help to decide if you need to be tested for heart disease. Your physician will also check if you have any conditions that can increase your chance of developing the disease.
These conditions include: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, elevated cholesterol level, menopause in women, family members who have had heart disease at a young age. If you have cardiovascular disease, your angina can be treated by treating the heart disease. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight in addition to a regular exercise program can help you avoid developing heart disease.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
It has become the leading cause of death in the United States, is a major cause of disability, doesn't go away, but by working with your doctor, you can live longer and feel better. Types of cardiovascular disease include: Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks.
In 2003, almost twice as many females died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers put together. The older she gets, the more likely she is to have cardiovascular disease; however women of all ages should be concerned.
African American and Hispanic American/Latina females are more prone to get heart disease because they tend to have a greater number of risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes than White females. Women of color are also more likely to die of the disease.
Having diabetes elevates your chances of developing heart disease and high levels of triglycerides are linked to the disease in some people. Also Being obese increases your risk. Chest or arm pain or discomfort can be a symptom of cardiovascular problems and a warning sign of an actual or impending heart attack.
If your father or brother had a heart attack before age 55, or if your mom had one before age 65, you're more likely to get heart disease. Birth control pills can present risks for some women, especially women older than 35, women with elevated blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol and those who smoke.
Nearly 700,000 people die of heart disease in the United States a year. You can find out more about heart disease by calling the National Women's Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662.
The chance of developing coronary disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those factors that put people at larger risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack. The very best ways to prevent the disease are to control high blood pressure, diabetes or a elevated cholesterol level and, if you smoke, stop smoking.
CHOLESTEROL: What does a high level of cholesterol have to do with heart disease? It can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting necessary blood. People with high blood cholesterol or elevated blood triglycerides often have no symptoms, so have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked often. If your levels are high, talk to your physician about what you can do to lower them. You may be able to decrease your levels by eating better and exercising more, if not, your physician may prescribe medication to lower and bring it under control.
When there is excess cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries, forming plaque and causing blood clots. There are basically 2 types of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is frequently called the "bad" type because it can block the arteries that carry blood to your heart. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is called the "good" type because it takes the bad cholesterol out of your blood and stops it from building up in your arteries.
All women 20 years of age and older should have their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at least once every five years. If you are overweight, losing weight can help reduce your total cholesterol and LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels.
Try to consume more foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Skim (fat-free) or low-fat (1%) milk and cheeses, and low-fat or nonfat yogurt, Fruits and vegetables (try for five a day), Cereals, breads, rice, and pasta created from whole grains (such as "whole-wheat" or "whole-grain" bread and pasta, rye bread, brown rice, and oatmeal), Limit consumption of organ meats (liver, kidney, brains), Egg yolks, Fats (butter, lard) and oils, Packaged and processed foods.
There are 2 diets that may help reduce your cholesterol: Heart Healthy Diet and Therapeutic Lifestyles Changes (TLC) Diet. Exercise can help reduce LDL ("bad cholesterol") and raise HDL ("good cholesterol"). If your MD has prescribed medicine to reduce your cholesterol, take it exactly as you have been told to.
CONCLUSION: Heart disease is not contagious - you can't get it like you can the flu or a cold. It is a general term that refers to a variety of acute and chronic medical diseases that affect one or more of the components of the heart. The signs you describe to your physician will help to decide if you need to be tested for heart disease. Your physician will also check if you have any conditions that can increase your chance of developing the disease.
These conditions include: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, elevated cholesterol level, menopause in women, family members who have had heart disease at a young age. If you have cardiovascular disease, your angina can be treated by treating the heart disease. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight in addition to a regular exercise program can help you avoid developing heart disease.
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Low Testosterone Levels - A Marker For Increased Cardiovascular Mortality
Testosterone is predominantly produced by the testes in men. Small quantities are produced by the ovaries in women. The adrenal glands also produce small amounts in both sexes. Testosterone plays a key role in sexual functioning. Besides helping in the production of sperms, this steroid hormone also enhances libido, increases energy, helps produce red blood cells and protects against osteoporosis. Testosterone is an androgen and an anabolic steroid.
The blood levels of testosterone vary over a wide range. Testosterone levels gradually start declining during the third or early fourth decade of life at a constant rate. As a result, older men have significantly lower levels compared to their younger counterparts. Testosterone levels may also be low due to several diseases. The cutoff number is 250 ng/dL, levels below these are considered low.
What is the connection between testosterone and heart disease?
Low testosterone levels have been associated with increased risk of development and death from cardiovascular disease. In a recent study by Laughlin and associates, men with low levels and in the lowest quartile were 40% more likely to die early, especially from cardiovascular diseases. These findings were unaffected by age, lipid levels and other risk factors. The study involved 794 men aged 50-91 years, who were monitored for 20 years. The study was published in 2008 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
In 2007, results of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer in Norfolk Study were published in Circulation. In this study, Khaw and associates monitored 11,000 patients aged 40-79 for their testosterone levels and death. They found that the latter were inversely related - low testosterone levels correlated with a higher rate of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer and all other causes.
In another study, Shores and colleagues, found that low testosterone levels were associated with an increased risk for mortality in male veterans. The male population was over 40 years of age and did not have prostate cancer. The study was done in Seattle and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006.
How does low testosterone cause cardiovascular disease?
The exact mechanism by which low testosterone causes cardiovascular disease is not clear, but there are several postulated mechanisms . Patients with low testosterone levels tend to have more visceral obesity. Visceral obesity is responsible for the apple shaped body (as compared to the pear shaped body, in which the fat is predominantly deposited in the hips and buttocks). More commonly, this is called the 'pot belly' or 'beer belly'. The visceral fat is packed in between the internal organs in the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity). In contrast the subcutaneous fat is found under the skin and the intramuscular fat in the skeletal muscle. Visceral fat is more metabolically active and synthesizes more heart unhealthy fatty acids, triglycerides, and adipokines than nonvisceral fat. Low testosterone is also associated with the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. In a study published in 2007, men in the lowest levels of testosterone were four times more likely to develop diabetes when compared to men with the highest levels. This data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was published by Selvin and group in Diabetes Care. Patients with low testosterone levels have higher levels of insulin and triglycerides, both detrimental to the cardiovascular system.
Should you take testosterone to reduce heart disease?
There has been no scientific study in which testosterone replacement has been found to reduce heart disease. A study has just not been done. However, English and associates found that in patients with established coronary artery disease, testosterone replacement reduced exercise induced chest pain. This data was published in the European Heart Journal in 2000.
Summary
Testosterone is a predominantly male hormone produced by the testis and adrenals. It is responsible for libido in both sexes and the production of sperms in the male. It is also associated with increased energy, production of red cells and prevention of osteoporosis. Testosterone levels normally decline with age, with older men having a much lower levels than their younger counterparts. Low testosterone levels have been linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality, and death from all causes. There is no published research on whether taking supplemental testosterone will reduce cardiovascular disease and death.
Dr. Shashi K. Agarwal is a Board Certified Internist and Cardiologist with a private practice in New York City and New Jersey. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD
You, Too, Can Give the Gift of Life
You're in the mall, the supermarket, or heading for the departure gate at the airport when you see someone ahead of you slump to the ground. As you glance around to see if anyone else is aware of what just happened, you notice a sign that says "AED" or "Defibrillator" with an arrow pointing to a box. Would you know what to do?
According to the American Heart Association, approximately 350,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest each year in the United States alone. The majority of people exhibit no prior symptoms, so they have no warning. The current national survival rate for Sudden Cardiac Arrest is less than 5%, often because emergency medical services cannot reach them in time. The likelihood of successful resuscitation decreases by about 10% with every minute that passes.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is most often the result of the electrical activity of the heart becoming disorganized, causing it to beat ineffectively. This arrhythmia is called ventricular fibrillation. This results in a lack of blood flow or pulse, causing loss of consciousness, cessation of breathing, and leads to death very rapidly unless properly treated. CPR is important in maintaining blood flow to the vital organs of the body for a short period of time, but defibrillation is the most effective treatment for returning a heart in ventricular fibrillation to its normal rhythm. Until recently, only credentialed health professionals and trained emergency medical service personnel were able to provide defibrillation to victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Precious minutes were lost from the time of collapse to the arrival of life-saving equipment. With widespread access to defibrillators, it is estimated that an additional 40,000 lives could be saved each year in the U.S. alone.
The efficacy of defibrillation is directly tied to how quickly it is administered. The American Heart Association has determined that maximum effectiveness is achieved if defibrillation takes place within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse. After 10 minutes, the likelihood of a positive outcome is extremely poor. The importance of quick and effective intervention is outlined in the AHA's "Chain of Survival" concept; early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced care. (americanheart.org)
The proliferation of Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) since the 1990s and their accompanying PAD Programs has done much to educate the public about early access defibrillation. Public access defibrillators can be found in mass transit terminals, on commercial airplanes and in shopping malls. They are currently required by law in Federal and State government buildings, health clubs and nursing homes, with numerous bills now before Congress to provide them in an ever growing list of public facilities.
The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross are just two of the nationally recognized organizations providing lay persons all of the information and training necessary to competently assess a victim, administer CPR if indicated, and to operate an AED safely and effectively. Numerous local training and consulting organizations accredited by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross are also available to provide training and certification.
Keeping knowledge current increases confidence. With increased confidence, the likelihood of bystander participation and positive intervention outcome increases as well. Consider the millions of "Baby Boomers" between 45 and 60-plus years of age. And getting older. They might be your customers, neighbors, co-workers, parents, or even you.
Anyone has the ability to save a life. With just a little training, everyone can have the chance to be a hero.
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Fish Oil Supplementation - Heart Protective
Dyerberg and group in 1978 reported in the Lancet, a health paradox that they noted in the Greenland Eskimos. The Eskimos, despite a high-fat diet, had a low rate of coronary heart disease. The researchers postulated that a protective effect was provided by the fatty oils present in their diet, rich in meat from seals, caribou and fish. Since then, this inverse relationship between fish intake and cardiovascular disease has become well established.
Fish oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Along with omega-6 fatty acids, they are called polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Both of these fatty acids cannot be synthesized by humans and are therefore considered 'essential'. Besides fish, omega-3 fatty acids are also found in walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, broccoli, cantaloupe, kidney beans, spinach, grape leaves, Chinese cabbage, and cauliflower. Two omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are health and heart protective. A third kind, alpha-linolenic acid, is less potent. Omega-6 fatty acids are detrimental to heart health, and have been associated with depression. Omega-6 fatty acids are abundant in refined vegetable oils commonly used for cooking.
What is the link between fish oil intake and cardiovascular disease protection?
Several studies have shown an inverse relationship between fish consumption and coronary heart disease and death. In the DART study, 2003 men with a previous history of a heart attack were divided into two groups and monitored - one group had an increased fish oil consumption, either by diet or by supplementation compared to the other group, The increased fish oil group had a 29% reduction in death. Studied by Burr and group, this data was published in Lancet in 1989.
In a large GISSI-Prevenzione trial, 11,324 patients with a history of a heart attack were randomly assigned into groups; each group was given either 850 mg omega-3 fatty acid, 300 mg vitamin E, both, or neither. The results showed that the group given the fatty acid alone had a 45% reduction in sudden death and a 20% reduction in all-cause mortality. This was published in Lancet in 1999.
In a review of 11 studies, Markmann and Granbaek found that in populations at a higher risk of coronary heart disease, intake of 40-60 grams of fish per day could reduce the risk of death by 40%-60%. They published their data in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1999.
How do omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease?
Fish oils lower blood pressure and serum triglyceride levels. They also have anti-arrhythmic, anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. They also improve endothelial function. All these effects protect against heart attacks from coronary heart disease and sudden death due to an irregular heart rhythm.
How much omega-3 fatty acids do you need?
It is recommended that the daily intake of omega-3 fatty acid be 2.85 g/day. Healthy marine sources are fresh tuna, sardines, salmon, herring, trout and oysters. Fish should be grilled, baked, or broiled -- not fried. Fried fish loses all of its benefits. This lack of benefit from fried fish was documented by Mozaffarian in the Cardiovascular Health Study published in Circulation in 2003. As noted earlier, omega-3 fatty acids are also found in walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, broccoli, cantaloupe, kidney beans, spinach, grape leaves, Chinese cabbage, and cauliflower. Recently, omega-3 fatty acid enriched eggs have become available in the supermarkets and can help meet the daily requirements. If one is unable to eat enough fish or other food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil supplementation should be considered. The usual amount is 1 gm EPA and DHA per day, although your physician may recommend higher doses in certain situations.
Is fish safe?
Fish at the top of the food chain often contain significant levels of methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and other environmental contaminants. These include mackerel, shark, swordfish, and tile fish (golden bass or golden snapper). The FDA advises pregnant women, women wanting to become pregnant, nursing mothers and children to avoid these fish as they may be at an increased risk of mercury intoxication.
Are fish oils safe?
In general, most fish oils sold over the counter in the USA are safe. The FDA in 1997 indicated that the consumption of up to 3 g EPA + DHA/day from all sources is safe for American adults. Fish oils do not interact with other drugs and usually have no side effects. Fishy aftertaste can be lessened by keeping the supplements in the freezer. Rarely nausea, bloating and belching can occur. Excessive intake may cause bleeding. There is only one FDA approved fish oil preparation in the USA. It is available by prescription under the trade name of Omacor. Because of a patented refining process, toxins such as mercury are completely removed, It also has more PUFAs - 90% compared with 60% in some commercially available products. This makes Omacor more reliable and efficacious.
Summary
The heart protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids are very compelling. These essential polyunsaturated fatty acids are abundant in fish and certain vegetables and nuts. People at a high risk of developing heart disease or who have established heart disease, should supplement their diet with fish oil capsules providing 1 gm EPA and DHA per day. It would be prudent to discuss this therapy with your physician.
Dr. Shashi K. Agarwal is a Board Certified Internist and Cardiologist with a private practice in New York City and New Jersey. He is also a diplomat of the American Board of Holistic Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD
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