Sunday, September 28, 2008
Heart disease starts in childhood
If you thought letting your children spend their youth playing videogames and eating Fritos was just good, harmless fun, you're wrong. Researchers at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) have found that kids who lead inactive lifestyles - that means getting less than 20 minutes a day of moderate-intensity physical activity - are 5-6 times more likely to be at risk of heart disease than kids who get the 60 min-, utes recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On ear creases and heart disease
Q: Is there any relationship between a crease in the earlobe and heart disease?
The relationship between earlobe crease and heart disease, primarily coronary disease (heart attacks), was first suggested more than thirty years ago and has been studied many times in various populations. Some Greco-Roman statues in the Louvre Museum in Paris show the earlobe crease, so the finding goes back 2,000 years or more. The results of some studies indicate that the earlobe crease is associated with age, and age is associated with vascular disease. Others conclude that the crease is an independent predictor of heart disease and, more recently, carotid artery thickening. Whatever, the relationship is not that good because many people without the crease have heart attacks and many with the crease do not. Given my choice of a predictor of atherosclerosis and heart attacks, I'd pick the cholesterol level over the earlobe crease. But even the cholesterol is not perfect, since almost half of those with heart attacks can have normal cholesterol levels.
The relationship between earlobe crease and heart disease, primarily coronary disease (heart attacks), was first suggested more than thirty years ago and has been studied many times in various populations. Some Greco-Roman statues in the Louvre Museum in Paris show the earlobe crease, so the finding goes back 2,000 years or more. The results of some studies indicate that the earlobe crease is associated with age, and age is associated with vascular disease. Others conclude that the crease is an independent predictor of heart disease and, more recently, carotid artery thickening. Whatever, the relationship is not that good because many people without the crease have heart attacks and many with the crease do not. Given my choice of a predictor of atherosclerosis and heart attacks, I'd pick the cholesterol level over the earlobe crease. But even the cholesterol is not perfect, since almost half of those with heart attacks can have normal cholesterol levels.
External pump for heart disease
Q: I am under treatment for angina. When I have an attack of chest pain, I usually can get rid of it with nitroglycerin. My neighbor, exactly my age, has the same thing: coronary artery disease with angina attacks. His doctor is treating him with leg pumps. He says he has had no angina since he started the treatment. Would this help me?
A: The procedure, enhanced external counterpulsation, has been around for 10 years.
A series of cuffs, like blood pressure cuffs, is wrapped around the patient's legs. At a very precise moment in the heart cycle, the cuffs are sequentially inflated, with the lowest cuff inflated first. The pumping maneuver increases blood flow back to the heart and to the heart muscle. Angina is chest pain that comes on with activity. It indicates that one or more of the heart arteries have a blockage. People with artery blockage get enough blood to the heart muscle when they're resting, but, when they are active, the blockage prevents the increased flow required for the extra effort the heart must make. The result is the chest pain called angina.
Some people who have undergone a series of EECP treatments have fewer attacks after the treatment, and some have even discontinued medicine for angina.
EECP has yet to win universal approval. People who judge the effectiveness of medical treatments want more evidence before they recommend it for everyone. Would it work for you? Only a trial with it will tell you.
Q: There's a yellow streak on both my eyelids. What is this? Does it mean eye trouble?
A: Those streaks are xanthelasmas (ZANN-thul-AS-muhs), an aggregation of cells filled with cholesterol. In half of people with them, they indicate high blood cholesterol or high blood triglycerides. If you haven't had a check of your cholesterol or triglycerides, you should have one.
They are not a sign of eye trouble. If you find them cosmetically distressing, they can be removed.
Q: What's a "chemical" depression? I have two relatives who say that's what they have.
A: Brain cells communicate with each other through chemicals with names such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. One current and popular theory about depression cites an imbalance of one or more of these chemicals as the cause. Antidepressants restore the normal balance.
A: The procedure, enhanced external counterpulsation, has been around for 10 years.
A series of cuffs, like blood pressure cuffs, is wrapped around the patient's legs. At a very precise moment in the heart cycle, the cuffs are sequentially inflated, with the lowest cuff inflated first. The pumping maneuver increases blood flow back to the heart and to the heart muscle. Angina is chest pain that comes on with activity. It indicates that one or more of the heart arteries have a blockage. People with artery blockage get enough blood to the heart muscle when they're resting, but, when they are active, the blockage prevents the increased flow required for the extra effort the heart must make. The result is the chest pain called angina.
Some people who have undergone a series of EECP treatments have fewer attacks after the treatment, and some have even discontinued medicine for angina.
EECP has yet to win universal approval. People who judge the effectiveness of medical treatments want more evidence before they recommend it for everyone. Would it work for you? Only a trial with it will tell you.
Q: There's a yellow streak on both my eyelids. What is this? Does it mean eye trouble?
A: Those streaks are xanthelasmas (ZANN-thul-AS-muhs), an aggregation of cells filled with cholesterol. In half of people with them, they indicate high blood cholesterol or high blood triglycerides. If you haven't had a check of your cholesterol or triglycerides, you should have one.
They are not a sign of eye trouble. If you find them cosmetically distressing, they can be removed.
Q: What's a "chemical" depression? I have two relatives who say that's what they have.
A: Brain cells communicate with each other through chemicals with names such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. One current and popular theory about depression cites an imbalance of one or more of these chemicals as the cause. Antidepressants restore the normal balance.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Living With Heart Disease Means Making Changes in Your Life
Bruce was a successful businessman who had everything... except a healthy heart. He didn't know it until he found himself in hospital having double bypass surgery.
Wendy was an active woman who didn't smoke, exercised faithfully, ate right, and surprised everyone, including herself, when she required an emergency angioplasty.
Darlene had no energy. In fact, lately it seemed her get up and go had got up and gone! When she investigated with her doctors, she was shocked to find out she needed a pacemaker. After her surgery, she had a new lease on life.
Dave was a smoker -- and yes, he was a little overweight. He knew he had to make some changes - but once he had the heart attack he started taking it more seriously.
What these people have in common is that they all have heart disease. It's the number one killer in North America. Every year hundreds of thousands die from heart disease. (451,326 in 2004*). But the good news is an estimated 80,700,000* people with some form of cardiovascular disease in the United States are living. Thanks to modern medicine, people like Bruce, Wendy, Darlene, Dave and countless others get a second chance. (* American Heart Association)
But living with heart disease can feel overwhelming. People know a lifestyle change is necessary, but often they don't know where to start. Or they may have trouble staying motivated. Sometimes they don't know where to turn to find resources such as heart rate or blood pressure monitors, exercise advice or equipment, or even heart-healthy recipes.
Sandra Thornton is one of the millions living with heart disease. After her heart event she was fortunate to participate in cardiac rehab but once she "graduated" she found herself feeling very alone. She looked for information, moral support, and all the resources to help her with her lifestyle changes. Not finding one single source, she created a website to help others. She also notes that having a heart event shakes your confidence. You feel as though your body let you down.
"I am creating a community for people living with heart disease," she says. "A virtual place to find and share information about lifestyle changes. And a place for people to access and order the resources they need -- no matter where they are. It can feel impossible if you live out in the country, or if you have difficulty getting out." One such woman wrote "There is a long history of heart disease in my family... I find your website inspirational and I appreciate that I have found it just at the time when I am needing it."
"I know what it's like," Thornton says. She was an energetic 51 year-old when she was unexpectedly admitted to a critical care bed in the cardiac care unit of her local hospital three years ago. The next day she had an angioplasty to clear a 90% blockage of her left anterior descending artery.
The location of the blockage, left untreated, would have resulted in a massive heart attack.
"I also learned I had a problem with my aortic valve (aortic stenosis)," she notes.
She experienced a rocky recovery - five stays in hospital, four angiograms, two angioplasties (she re-blocked), and six months off work.
Thornton is back on track with her life now, but she says, "It's so important for people to have support to make the changes they need to make. A great medical team, the support of loved ones, the awareness of risk factors and how to reduce them, and access to the resources you need."
And speaking of risk factors, there are only three risk factors for heart disease that you can't control - your gender, your age, and your family genes. Everything else is up to you. Whether you are living with heart disease or you want to prevent it, here's what you CAN do:
· Quit smoking - NOW!
· Get more active, start an exercise program, and lose excess weight
· Eat a heart-healthy diet - more whole foods, fruit, vegetables, fiber - less fat, salt, sugar and processed foods
· Manage your stress and make wise lifestyle choices
· Know and manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
· Get regular checkups
Wendy was an active woman who didn't smoke, exercised faithfully, ate right, and surprised everyone, including herself, when she required an emergency angioplasty.
Darlene had no energy. In fact, lately it seemed her get up and go had got up and gone! When she investigated with her doctors, she was shocked to find out she needed a pacemaker. After her surgery, she had a new lease on life.
Dave was a smoker -- and yes, he was a little overweight. He knew he had to make some changes - but once he had the heart attack he started taking it more seriously.
What these people have in common is that they all have heart disease. It's the number one killer in North America. Every year hundreds of thousands die from heart disease. (451,326 in 2004*). But the good news is an estimated 80,700,000* people with some form of cardiovascular disease in the United States are living. Thanks to modern medicine, people like Bruce, Wendy, Darlene, Dave and countless others get a second chance. (* American Heart Association)
But living with heart disease can feel overwhelming. People know a lifestyle change is necessary, but often they don't know where to start. Or they may have trouble staying motivated. Sometimes they don't know where to turn to find resources such as heart rate or blood pressure monitors, exercise advice or equipment, or even heart-healthy recipes.
Sandra Thornton is one of the millions living with heart disease. After her heart event she was fortunate to participate in cardiac rehab but once she "graduated" she found herself feeling very alone. She looked for information, moral support, and all the resources to help her with her lifestyle changes. Not finding one single source, she created a website to help others. She also notes that having a heart event shakes your confidence. You feel as though your body let you down.
"I am creating a community for people living with heart disease," she says. "A virtual place to find and share information about lifestyle changes. And a place for people to access and order the resources they need -- no matter where they are. It can feel impossible if you live out in the country, or if you have difficulty getting out." One such woman wrote "There is a long history of heart disease in my family... I find your website inspirational and I appreciate that I have found it just at the time when I am needing it."
"I know what it's like," Thornton says. She was an energetic 51 year-old when she was unexpectedly admitted to a critical care bed in the cardiac care unit of her local hospital three years ago. The next day she had an angioplasty to clear a 90% blockage of her left anterior descending artery.
The location of the blockage, left untreated, would have resulted in a massive heart attack.
"I also learned I had a problem with my aortic valve (aortic stenosis)," she notes.
She experienced a rocky recovery - five stays in hospital, four angiograms, two angioplasties (she re-blocked), and six months off work.
Thornton is back on track with her life now, but she says, "It's so important for people to have support to make the changes they need to make. A great medical team, the support of loved ones, the awareness of risk factors and how to reduce them, and access to the resources you need."
And speaking of risk factors, there are only three risk factors for heart disease that you can't control - your gender, your age, and your family genes. Everything else is up to you. Whether you are living with heart disease or you want to prevent it, here's what you CAN do:
· Quit smoking - NOW!
· Get more active, start an exercise program, and lose excess weight
· Eat a heart-healthy diet - more whole foods, fruit, vegetables, fiber - less fat, salt, sugar and processed foods
· Manage your stress and make wise lifestyle choices
· Know and manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
· Get regular checkups
3 Natural Cures For High Blood Pressure You Can Adopt
With the known side effects of pharmaceutical drugs, more people are looking for natural cures for high blood pressure. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure you may need to take prescribed medication to correct the problem.
There are several medications that are used to reduce blood pressure. Each of these medications may have adverse side effects and should only be used under a doctor's care. Diuretics flush the body of salts. Unfortunately, this may deplete your body of potassium and other minerals valuable in maintaining a healthy heart. Some diuretics interfere with uric acid excretion, causing or exacerbating gout and arthritis. Some diuretics increase cholesterol and others can cause sexual impotency as a side effect.
Sympathetic nerve inhibitors or alpha-blockers interfere with the message sent by the sympathetic nervous system and cause the vessels to contract thereby reducing the blood pressure. Alpha-blockers create swelling of extremities, chest pain, nausea, weight gain, vomiting, loss of bladder control, continuous and painful erections or impotence, joint and back pain, insomnia, stuffy nose, blurred vision and restlessness.
Calcium-channel blockers, another treatment for hypertension, make the arteries expand and allow the blood to flow more easily by slowing the rate that calcium enters both the heart and vessels. Some side effects of calcium-channel blocker are exhaustion, flushing, increased swelling in the feet, abdomen or ankles, heartburn, stomach upsets, difficulty swallowing, numbness, fainting, headaches, constipation, jaundice and chest pains. If you take a calcium channel-blocker, make sure that you don't smoke and reveal all medications you are taking, including herbal supplements, to your doctor. Mixing several drugs or smoking while taking hypertension medication can create other problems like tachycardia - rapid heartbeats.
Beta-blockers reduce the rate and decrease the force of the heart's contraction. Sexual impotency in men is one of the most common side effects. Fatigue, depression, nightmares and increased wheezing in asthmatics are other side effects of beta-blockers.
Many people with high blood pressure often stop taking their medication to avoid these side effects. This is extremely dangerous. If you choose to implement alternative methods of control, work with your doctor to wean you from the drugs and monitor your progress as your pressure begins to drop naturally.
The first natural cure for high blood pressure is increased physical activity. The activity should be something that you enjoy and should also increase the heart rate and help you to lose weight. This natural cure improves the blood pressure several ways. It increases your overall health and stamina. It reduces stress by releasing the 'fight or flight' hormones accumulated in your system from daily stress, and promotes weight reduction.
The second natural cure involves monitoring your diet on a daily basis. Some foods reduce cholesterol, a prime cause of artery blockage and increased blood pressure. Eliminate caffeine and nicotine, from your life. Reduce the intake of salt and increase natural fibers like those in whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables.
The third way to reduce hypertension is the use of herbal remedies and supplements. Increase your intake of calcium, vitamin C, CoQ10 and Flaxseed. Herbs that lower blood pressure include coleus forskohlii, hawthorn and mistletoe. Always speak with your doctor before starting a regimen of herb supplements.
Pharmaceutical drugs don't have to be the only option in fighting hypertension. These are three natural cures for high blood pressure you can adopt that will help you live a longer and better life.
There are several medications that are used to reduce blood pressure. Each of these medications may have adverse side effects and should only be used under a doctor's care. Diuretics flush the body of salts. Unfortunately, this may deplete your body of potassium and other minerals valuable in maintaining a healthy heart. Some diuretics interfere with uric acid excretion, causing or exacerbating gout and arthritis. Some diuretics increase cholesterol and others can cause sexual impotency as a side effect.
Sympathetic nerve inhibitors or alpha-blockers interfere with the message sent by the sympathetic nervous system and cause the vessels to contract thereby reducing the blood pressure. Alpha-blockers create swelling of extremities, chest pain, nausea, weight gain, vomiting, loss of bladder control, continuous and painful erections or impotence, joint and back pain, insomnia, stuffy nose, blurred vision and restlessness.
Calcium-channel blockers, another treatment for hypertension, make the arteries expand and allow the blood to flow more easily by slowing the rate that calcium enters both the heart and vessels. Some side effects of calcium-channel blocker are exhaustion, flushing, increased swelling in the feet, abdomen or ankles, heartburn, stomach upsets, difficulty swallowing, numbness, fainting, headaches, constipation, jaundice and chest pains. If you take a calcium channel-blocker, make sure that you don't smoke and reveal all medications you are taking, including herbal supplements, to your doctor. Mixing several drugs or smoking while taking hypertension medication can create other problems like tachycardia - rapid heartbeats.
Beta-blockers reduce the rate and decrease the force of the heart's contraction. Sexual impotency in men is one of the most common side effects. Fatigue, depression, nightmares and increased wheezing in asthmatics are other side effects of beta-blockers.
Many people with high blood pressure often stop taking their medication to avoid these side effects. This is extremely dangerous. If you choose to implement alternative methods of control, work with your doctor to wean you from the drugs and monitor your progress as your pressure begins to drop naturally.
The first natural cure for high blood pressure is increased physical activity. The activity should be something that you enjoy and should also increase the heart rate and help you to lose weight. This natural cure improves the blood pressure several ways. It increases your overall health and stamina. It reduces stress by releasing the 'fight or flight' hormones accumulated in your system from daily stress, and promotes weight reduction.
The second natural cure involves monitoring your diet on a daily basis. Some foods reduce cholesterol, a prime cause of artery blockage and increased blood pressure. Eliminate caffeine and nicotine, from your life. Reduce the intake of salt and increase natural fibers like those in whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables.
The third way to reduce hypertension is the use of herbal remedies and supplements. Increase your intake of calcium, vitamin C, CoQ10 and Flaxseed. Herbs that lower blood pressure include coleus forskohlii, hawthorn and mistletoe. Always speak with your doctor before starting a regimen of herb supplements.
Pharmaceutical drugs don't have to be the only option in fighting hypertension. These are three natural cures for high blood pressure you can adopt that will help you live a longer and better life.
A Matter of Life and Death - Understanding Cholesterol Ratios
High cholesterol is not a laughing matter. Since it can cause you to experience heart disease, which can be life threatening, high cholesterol should not be taken lightly. A very important key to lowering cholesterol levels is having an understanding of your cholesterol ratio. Here are a few of the different things that you should know about your total ratio and your HDL LDL ratio.
The most important thing that you should know about your total cholesterol ratio is that it is a determining factor of your risk of developing heart disease, which can ultimately, and at worst case, lead to death.
The way that it works is by dividing your HDL cholesterol into your overall cholesterol. Keep in mind that cholesterol is measured in milligrams and deciliters, or mg's and dl's. Let's pretend, for example, that your total cholesterol was 200 mg/dl, while your HDL was 50 mg/dl. In this case, your cholesterol ratio would be 4-1. Having cholesterol ratio that is any higher than 5-1 is a sign that you may be at risk for heart disease.
Keep in mind that there is also something called the HDL LDL ratio, which needs to be taken into consideration as well. As you can probably guess, this ratio measures the ratio between your HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. This ratio is a larger determining factor of the risk of heart disease.
The reason is because it shows the ratio between your good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, which is the largest factor that determines your risk of heart disease. The formula to determine HDL LDL ratio is much more complicated and, thus, it tends to be very pricey.
Overall, however, your HDL to LDL cholesterol ratio should not be any higher than 4.4 and you should strive to keep it at or below 3.3. Any HDL to LDL ratio level above 7 to 11 indicates a high risk of heart disease.
Keep in mind that there are several things that you can do in order to lower your cholesterol. Making healthier food choices and following an exercise routine are just two of the many different things that you can do to keep both your HDL to LDL ratio and your total cholesterol ratio down.
The most important thing that you should know about your total cholesterol ratio is that it is a determining factor of your risk of developing heart disease, which can ultimately, and at worst case, lead to death.
The way that it works is by dividing your HDL cholesterol into your overall cholesterol. Keep in mind that cholesterol is measured in milligrams and deciliters, or mg's and dl's. Let's pretend, for example, that your total cholesterol was 200 mg/dl, while your HDL was 50 mg/dl. In this case, your cholesterol ratio would be 4-1. Having cholesterol ratio that is any higher than 5-1 is a sign that you may be at risk for heart disease.
Keep in mind that there is also something called the HDL LDL ratio, which needs to be taken into consideration as well. As you can probably guess, this ratio measures the ratio between your HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. This ratio is a larger determining factor of the risk of heart disease.
The reason is because it shows the ratio between your good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, which is the largest factor that determines your risk of heart disease. The formula to determine HDL LDL ratio is much more complicated and, thus, it tends to be very pricey.
Overall, however, your HDL to LDL cholesterol ratio should not be any higher than 4.4 and you should strive to keep it at or below 3.3. Any HDL to LDL ratio level above 7 to 11 indicates a high risk of heart disease.
Keep in mind that there are several things that you can do in order to lower your cholesterol. Making healthier food choices and following an exercise routine are just two of the many different things that you can do to keep both your HDL to LDL ratio and your total cholesterol ratio down.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Eat to Live - Cholesterol Management the Easy Way
If you have recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you are probably looking for ways to lower it. Keep in mind that there are two types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. LDL, or bad cholesterol, causes heart disease and atherosclerosis, a condition which affects proper blood flower. HDL, or good cholesterol, works to combat against the possible damage that LDL cholesterol can do. A good diet to lower cholesterol will help decrease your LDL cholesterol, while increasing your HDL cholesterol.
There are many foods that may help lower cholesterol that you will want to incorporate into your regular diet. For starters, you will want to think about adding fruits and vegetables to your diet. Since they are known to be very healthy, it is not surprising that they are also known to lower cholesterol. Whole grains, oatmeal, nuts and legumes are all known to reduce cholesterol. A diet to lower cholesterol should contain a decent amount of all of these foods.
When looking for sample diets for lowering cholesterol, be sure to choose a diet that avoids foods which are high in trans fat or saturated fat. Greasy, fast foods should be avoided if you want to lower cholesterol. Fatty junk foods, such as potato chips, which may also contain unnecessary amounts of trans or saturated fat should also be avoided.
A diet to lower cholesterol should not contain excessive amounts of red meat or organs such as liver and dairy products. Although chicken, turkey and fish can also be very bad choices for someone who is trying to reduce their cholesterol, the way that you prepare these foods can make them healthier. Removing the skin and either baking, grilling or broiling these meats instead of frying are such healthier alternatives.
If you are still unsure of where to find sample diets for lowering cholesterol or what should be on them, you may want to think about asking your primary care physician. He or she should be able to give you a good idea of what foods can be eaten to reduce cholesterol, as well as which ones should be avoided and perhaps suggest some sample diets. Since a diet to lower cholesterol is very important, it is a good idea to make sure that you follow the doctor's instructions and reduce the amount of unhealthy foods that you choose to incorporate in your diet.
Achieving good heart health is way easier by diet than by the use of drugs like statins. Although if you are looking for ways to lower your cholesterol, and need some help doing so beyond diet, there are some very good natural alternatives that can be added to a good diet to lower cholesterol to improve your success rate.
And one company making some extremely effective and organic cholesterol management products too, and you've probably never heard of them.
There are many foods that may help lower cholesterol that you will want to incorporate into your regular diet. For starters, you will want to think about adding fruits and vegetables to your diet. Since they are known to be very healthy, it is not surprising that they are also known to lower cholesterol. Whole grains, oatmeal, nuts and legumes are all known to reduce cholesterol. A diet to lower cholesterol should contain a decent amount of all of these foods.
When looking for sample diets for lowering cholesterol, be sure to choose a diet that avoids foods which are high in trans fat or saturated fat. Greasy, fast foods should be avoided if you want to lower cholesterol. Fatty junk foods, such as potato chips, which may also contain unnecessary amounts of trans or saturated fat should also be avoided.
A diet to lower cholesterol should not contain excessive amounts of red meat or organs such as liver and dairy products. Although chicken, turkey and fish can also be very bad choices for someone who is trying to reduce their cholesterol, the way that you prepare these foods can make them healthier. Removing the skin and either baking, grilling or broiling these meats instead of frying are such healthier alternatives.
If you are still unsure of where to find sample diets for lowering cholesterol or what should be on them, you may want to think about asking your primary care physician. He or she should be able to give you a good idea of what foods can be eaten to reduce cholesterol, as well as which ones should be avoided and perhaps suggest some sample diets. Since a diet to lower cholesterol is very important, it is a good idea to make sure that you follow the doctor's instructions and reduce the amount of unhealthy foods that you choose to incorporate in your diet.
Achieving good heart health is way easier by diet than by the use of drugs like statins. Although if you are looking for ways to lower your cholesterol, and need some help doing so beyond diet, there are some very good natural alternatives that can be added to a good diet to lower cholesterol to improve your success rate.
And one company making some extremely effective and organic cholesterol management products too, and you've probably never heard of them.
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