http://www.healthzine.org/feed/ http://www.healthzine.org/ Every day new articles and updated info on all your health, beauty and fitness concerns. Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:51:47 +0200 Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:51:47 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/Some-Recommended-and-Useful-Information http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/Some-Recommended-and-Useful-Information In the old days, foods are cooked in simple and easy ways. Flavors then come from the primary ingredient of the food. Added flavors come from natural herbs like thyme, spices, salt as well as peppers. The play of flavors in those days of cooking is plainly natural; but the sweet appreciation of the people who partake of the food is as grand as the sweet harmony of its natural essence. But with the coming of the new times, where discoveries can be seen here and there; the sweet harmony of the foods natural combination’s are altered with modern seasonings and artificial flavorings that indeed add flavor to the food. Yes the old days of cooking is good, considering that little amounts of cholesterol and calories can be derived from the ingredients; But the world wants more, a heightened play of sweet, sour, and spicy flavorings is combined with the natural flavor of the main ingredient. Indeed the new age of cooking is sumptuously flavorsome, but the added preservatives and artificial flavorings alter the essence healthy cooking. Thus high cholesterol emerged. High Cholesterol Causes many kinds of degenerative diseases like the dreaded Heart Disease. Because of this, heart attack cases were born. Thus countless Heart Surgery victims rise to worldly recognition. But let us dig in further to some heart attack warning signs, they are as follows. Chest Discomfort – Most of the recorded heart attacks involve discomfort in the middle of the chest that lasts for a few minutes or it recurs every now and then. The feeling may vary from a squeezing feeling or pain itself. Shortness of Breath – this may come with or without the discomfort of the chest.Discomfort in the upper area of the body – In here pain or discomfort can be felt in the arms; both, or one of the arms. Other areas include the back, the neck and the jaw. But to remedy such problems, here also are some recommended and useful information for patients or victims of heart surgery. Here are some Heart Surgery Diets. This diet includes Fruit Diets like sweet potatoes and fresh fruits. Carrots, pumpkins and squash are also beneficial to the patient. The patient should also cut back or minimize on sugar and sweets. Sugar must also be put into consideration when you have such degenerative disease; Next to salt, sugar consumptions is considered as the second biggest enemy if you have just been to a post-heart surgery. One of the foods that heart surgery patients can eat is fat free turkey breast. The important thing is to avoid the fat so as to avoid cholesterol. Onions and Garlic can also be eaten, as well as whole wheat breads. Another thing that needs consideration is “VARIATION”. Facts are when you eat the same food everyday; you get sick and tired of eating the same food over and over again. Make sure that you rotate the menus that you have, this goes on a weekly and daily basis. Lastly when you just have a heart surgery, make sure you avoid meats with high percentage of fat, Red Meats and hydrogenated oils must be avoided. Whole Milk with 1-2% should be avoided as well. Be attentive to the advice of your physician. This is of critical importance. The advices that your doctor will give is your next best friend and the instructions that he/she will say must be the followed religiously. The food we eat can cause heart diseases, and if taken for granted may lead to serious cases like heart surgery if left untreated. With this useful information’s, Heart Surgery patients can have a higher percentage of survival and they may again see the brighter side of life. Life goes on even after a heart surgery; it must not stop there, with a good amount of support, balanced lifestyle and these insightful tips, you can still have a life. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:04:53 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/management-of-hypertension http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/management-of-hypertension In the aspect of pathology, “benign” is defined as “non-malignant”, or “self-limiting”. And of the weather, for instance, “benign” is connoted with “healthful”, “pleasant” or “beneficial”. So when you hear the words “benign hypertension”, you would primarily think it is a “harmless” sort of hypertension. Well, nothing can be farther from the truth. Benign hypertension is definitely not as harmless as it sounds. So what really is this condition? Benign hypertension is a term used to distinguish the condition from the more malignant and aggressive sort. By benign hypertension, it means a person’s blood pressure elevations occur over a longer period of time. It is high blood pressure which progresses slowly over time. Consequential damage may then take years to develop. As benign hypertension progresses, it can move into the malignant phase. Malignant phase refers to blood pressure levels significantly shooting up. The number of people suffering from hypertension is on the rise. Statistics cited that one third of the total American population suffer from hypertension. And then again, another one third has the condition yet are undiagnosed. The scenario is aggravated by the fact that fifty percent of the hypertensive populace does not properly take medications prescribed by their doctors. This is a major concern, as not taking prescribed medications is the biggest risk factor to developing malignant hypertension. “Malignant” as this condition is called, you might well expect it to be life- threatening. In this regard, health measures are deemed necessary. There are people who have alleviated their hypertensive condition by eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking medications as necessary. If management of hypertension has been employed early on, there are lesser risks for complications. Among them are stroke, heart attack and kidney problems. A large percentage of sufferers remain undiagnosed and this is due to several factors. A predominant one is that high blood pressure may show no symptoms, or else manifest milder ones. Nausea and headaches are two of these milder symptoms, but they can easily be mistaken as symptoms of other conditions, or may be dismissed. Yet, hypertension has been considered as an ominous disease, hence the reference to it as a “silent killer”. It is essential that the general public gains more education and information about high blood pressure. Risk factors for hypertension include genetic and medical factors as well as lifestyle choices. What remains to be predominant, however, is lifestyle choices. It is unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits as well as lack of physical activity which further aggravates the high blood pressure epidemic. More and more countries now adapt the “westernized” lifestyle. The prevailing diet is that which is high-fat, high-sodium and highly- processed foods. This is only worsened by inactivity and having more stress to live with. Basic health measures which can spell the difference between life and death are regular monitoring of blood pressure and check ups with the doctor. If you happen to have a family history of the disease or suffering from kidney or cardiovascular problems, then you should be wary. The same goes when you have been keeping to an unhealthy diet, are overweight, or aged above 35. Because when the silent killer strikes, you really might never know. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:25:51 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/managing-high-blood-pressure http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/managing-high-blood-pressure Have you checked your blood pressure lately? If it’s higher than the normal rate, then it’s time for you to learn something about managing high blood pressure. According to statistics, about 33% of adult Americans have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is a condition that can often lead to more serious problems like stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, kidney failure and such other serious ailments. There are many medicines available to treat it, but then you can’t be sure that you’ll never have it again once it is treated. It’s such a traitor disease that must be managed properly. Managing high blood pressure is not as difficult as most people think if you actually know what to do. Also equally important is your will power to effectively combat this killer disease. The first thing for you to do is to examine your lifestyle. This includes the food you eat, your habits and your work among other things. When it comes to eating, you ought to know that foods that have high content of salt and saturated fat are a BIG NO-NO. Salt or sodium can increase your blood pressure. So make sure that you limit your salt intake. If possible, refrain from eating salty foods and eliminate salt from your diet. Like salt, saturated fats must also be avoided. Not only do they increase your blood pressure but also cause you some other ailments. As we all know, too much of saturated fat is not always good for your health. On the other hand, get enough supply of potassium, calcium and magnesium. While potassium balances the sodium inside your body, calcium and magnesium, on the other hand, lowers blood pressure especially to women who are on their menopausal stage. Of course where else can you get all these minerals, but from fresh fruits and vegetables. So in managing high blood pressure, you must switch to healthy foods instead, like fruits and vegetables. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Water is vital to our health for it comprises about 75% of our body mass. Take note also that you need to avoid too much alcohol and caffeine for they also triggers hypertension. But this doesn’t mean that you should not drink coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages at all. You may of course have them, but only in moderation. Likewise, if you smoke, please stop it. You certainly know the reason why. It will not give you any good at all. Sure it’s difficult to quit, but just remember that you’re managing high blood pressure, and smoking is one thing that will surely ruin everything. Another thing, keep your body in good shape. Maintain an ideal body weight. If you’re slightly overweight, then it’s high time that you strip off those excess pounds. Have a dose of exercise to start with. Walking under the sun for at least 20 to 30 minutes early in the morning will be best. Aside from helping you attain that ideal body weight, it will also give you a good dose of vitamin D, which is likewise needed by your body to fight hypertension. Do not also forget to always give yourself a break. Avoid stress if you can. However, it’s difficult nowadays to avoid it. So you should at least control it. How? It all depends on you. After all, we all have different circumstances in life. As the saying goes, “different strokes, for different folks.” So adopt your own stroke. Lastly, always check your blood pressure and consult your doctor, if needed. Indeed, managing high blood pressure is not that difficult at all if you know exactly what to do and you have that needed will power. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:37:16 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/circulation-problems http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/circulation-problems The body’s circulatory process encompasses the entirety of our system. Blood flow and distribution is crucial to every nook and cranny of our physical make-up. The heart is an organ performing a vital role in blood circulation. Noble as the heart is- figuratively and literally- it is an organ containing a vast amount of patience. It may take years for the heart to withstand the abuse we more often unmindfully give it. But when our so called mismanagement of it goes beyond the limit, the heart eventually gives in. Until such time when heart or cardiovascular problems arise, one of which is circulation problems. Due to poor lifestyle choices, health issues may begin to manifest. A common tendency for the majority is to eat an imbalanced diet and live with less physical activity, or be sedentary. These are among the basic factors leading to fatty deposits in the arterial walls. These fatty deposits may begin to harden over time and form into harmful substances known as plaques. Plaques stubbornly weld in the arterial walls hampering blood flow to and from the heart. This condition is a leading cause of circulation problems. Formation of plaques in the arteries takes place after a lengthy period of time. Such is why this particular condition is common among the aging or elderly populace. Too much consumption of cholesterol-rich foods is another culprit. Cholesterol build up may increase the viscosity of the blood- yet another element resulting to circulation problems. Circulation problems as covering the entire system manifest in numerous ways. Other than the heart, the brain, the kidneys, the liver, the limbs and even sex drive can be impacted by circulation problems. Twenty percent of blood circulated by the system goes to the brain. If blood flow to the brain is in any way diminished, there are often significant consequences. A person may experience weakness or lethargy, difficulty in focusing or thinking clearly as well as problems in memory. There could also be sudden onsets of dizziness or headaches. When circulation problems affect the heart, symptoms such as chest pains and rise in blood pressure and cholesterol levels may occur. A person may easily tire and become breathless when performing basic physical activities such as climbing the stairs or walking over a distance. The kidneys are responsible for eliminating waste and excess water from the body. More than this, they are also necessary in regulating and monitoring blood pressure. Circulatory problems are consequential to the kidneys. Indications of this condition are altered heart rate, increased blood pressure and swelling of the hands, feet and ankles. When the liver is affected by circulation problems, a person may suffer from lack of appetite or sudden weight loss. The skin may begin to feel dry and lacking in luster. Sudden numbness of the limbs can be the result of circulation problems. When it comes to sex drive, circulation problems can lead to erectile dysfunction or impotence among men. Something as basic as physical activity impacts blood circulation in the body. Health experts have long advocated the regular exercise coupled with healthy eating in this respect. These promote better cardiovascular health and proper blood circulation is within its scope. Quality health supplements can also aid in this crucial health measure. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:40:04 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/high-blood-pressure-diet http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/high-blood-pressure-diet It is generally good to eat. On its ultimate purpose, eating fuels the body and allows it to function. Another aspect is that it is a sensual experience. Is it not pleasurable to eat? But there is such thing as overindulgence in eating- or simply eating too much. Too much of something, or anything for that matter is not healthy. So it is with food- ESPECIALLY food. There are countless of (detrimental) consequences when a person overindulges in food. Primarily, healthwise- they have higher chances of developing certain medical conditions. Among these many conditions, one that is highly likely is high blood pressure or hypertension. High blood pressure is well-known as the “silent killer”. It can come as quite surprising when a person realizes that they have developed hypertension. The thought of the disease having to strike anytime and jeopardize their life is rather daunting. A person who wants to remain mindful is left with no other choice than to live with the disease. Living with high blood pressure means taking time to manage it through a healthy lifestyle. What are the factors leading to hypertension? Genetic predisposition is a significant element. So is being exposed to high stress conditions. Certain disobliging habits such as too much smoking and alcohol consumption are also major aggravators. Then there is physical inactivity, a vital precursor to ill health in general. But above all these causes of hypertension, there is the diet. Keeping to an unhealthy diet can possibly lead to the condition. Managing the diet can thus significantly manage high blood pressure. And this is where the high blood pressure diet is taken into account. What comprises a high blood pressure diet? Foods high in sodium are consequential for sufferers. A high blood pressure diet suggests low sodium foods. A person’s salt or sodium intake directly impacts the state of their condition. Instead of eating foods high in sodium, a better alternative will be to consume whole foods. Whole food choices are fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It will also be beneficial to limit frozen or canned foods. They contain high amounts of preservatives, one of which is sodium. When it comes to meats or other protein choices, lean is best. Rather than being fried, one should opt on having them grilled instead. White flour and sugar are best minimized; water intake on the other hand should be increased. The recommended daily intake of water for optimal health is 8- 10 glasses daily. It is a matter of making healthy food choices in a high blood pressure diet. One should keep to a healthy diet on a consistent basis. The key is to control and to limit, especially as there can be major repercussions- one of which is fatality. A person should be keen on tending to their health in this regard. To be able to device an effective high blood pressure diet, a patient should seek a medical professional’s guidance. Along with professional help and personal initiative, high blood pressure can be managed. There may be certain limitations when having the disease, but a good quality of life is possible. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:07:00 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-failure http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-failure Heart failure happens when the heart doesn’t function properly and inefficiently pumps blood all throughout the system. There may be several factors causing this condition. The most common is coronary artery disease. Heart attacks and high blood pressure are often the leading causes of heart failure. Other diseases can do the same as well, such as diabetes, alcoholism and other heart conditions. Heart failure is among the leading causes of deaths worldwide. It can beset anybody regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic status. Threatening as it is, this condition can be prevented. To ward off the threat of a heart failure, essential is taking the necessary precautions. Primarily there are symptoms to be on the lookout for. One is feeling easily tired. So is shortness of breath, as well as dizziness. Palpitations are also a common symptom. Feeling sick and bloated are other indications that a predisposed person has to be keen about. Heart failure doesn’t generally cause death in an instant. When irregularities in blood circulation occur, the body has a normal mechanism to recover from the condition. But over time, this capability of the body would diminish and the heart will become worn out. A heart disease does not necessarily cause immediate death. Such condition generally progresses over time until the real threat of a fatality occurs. When a person is susceptible to the disease, they have to take the necessary health measures to alleviate their condition. Suffering from medical conditions such as this means that a person has to modify their lifestyle. They have to control the foods that they eat and take time for regular physical activity. Equally important is regular check ups with the doctor. It is crucial that the disease is diagnosed, especially in the early stages. The earlier the disease is detected and the treatment employed, the better chances there are of effectively managing it. Medical practitioners can conduct evaluation and tests if a person is susceptible. Specialized methods can also be performed to determine if the heart is in healthy condition or otherwise. A blood test is one of the methods which can be helpful for this purpose. Diagnostic procedures such as these ought to be regularly undergone by predisposed people. Heart failure is a condition which progresses. In the early stages, symptoms may not seem so serious. But if neglected, such symptoms can become critical over time. The patient’s body will eventually become weak, and their system can no longer battle the issue. It is then that the possibility of death may occur. People suffering from medical conditions such as this, and others need to acknowledge that they have to live with certain limitations. It will entail for them to practice more discipline in how they live. But even if a person is not harboring an illness, a disciplined and healthy lifestyle is necessary. The best recourse by far is prevention. Why should one wait for a medical condition to strike and make means to be healthy. Much trouble and inconvenience can be done away with if a person strives to take proper care of themselves in the first place. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:56:39 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-attack2 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-attack2 You’ve probably heard of “heart attack”, like most people have. And you know that it can kill. Yes, heart attack can definitely kill, especially if it is not immediately given proper medical attention. An attack is the worst event that can happen from a heart disease. It takes place when the disease has become severe and has gone beyond its limit. A heart attack is a serious medical condition in which the heart stops working. When a person suffers from it, they may experience great pain. During this event, blood flow to the heart is blocked. This blockage is due to a solid mass formed when blood dries. The blood flow blockage is caused by a condition called artherosclerosis. In artherosclerosis, the arteries become hard. As a result, blood wouldn’t be flowing in them smoothly. This clotting is also called coronary occlusion or coronary thrombosis. The artery can be ruptured or torn because of the plaque which blocks it. When the cutting off of blood supply lasts for a long time, muscle cells could be damaged and will die. Disability or even death can result from this, depending on the severity of muscle damage. Myocardial infraction is another term for heart attack. This condition can also take place when the coronary artery goes into spasm or temporarily contracts. In the same manner, blood flow could be decreased or otherwise cut off. Nearly all types of heart illnesses can cause an attack. The worst case scenario which is a heart attack represents on or about half of all deaths due to coronary heart disease. There are three main symptoms to be on the lookout for in an attack. A sensation of pressure or otherwise pain is felt in the center of the chest. This pain or pressure might last for a few minutes and then go away. And then it would come back. The pain may then spread on to the neck, the shoulders and the arms. This is the second primary symptom. The third one is chest discomfort which may go with shortness or breath, nausea, fainting, light-headedness and sweating. If you are suffering from any sort of heart disease, you have to make it a point that it won’t lead to an attack. Your life can be put to tremendous risk when that happens. Make means to manage your disease by regularly consulting your doctor. Ask for ways to help prevent your condition from worsening. And most of all, be willing to follow what the doctor says. It would take changes and limitations on your part, especially in your lifestyle. Exercise is usually a recommended measure, but ask your doctor about it. Your diet also has to be controlled. You will not have the pleasure of indulging in any food that you want or like, but it’s for your ultimate good. But a life of discipline is often better than a life of indulgence. Living with a medical condition means you have to find ways to live healthily. Or otherwise, don’t wait to have a disease and then take action. Better that you strive for the best of health to prevent a disease in the first place. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Wed, 4 Jun 2008 05:42:45 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/coronary-heart-disease2 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/coronary-heart-disease2 The threat of coronary heart disease is not to be undermined. Coronary heart disease causes approximately one million deaths each year, and this is just for the American population. It is responsible for more deaths than all the other next seven non-violent deaths combined. This matter is rendered serious consideration by the health and medical community. Yet it still remains and is a very crucial factor for the individual to take responsibility. What makes a person susceptible to the disease? It affects quite a large percentage of people, and how can you prevent it? Factors which may cause coronary heart disease are heredity, lack of physical activity, obesity and hight levels of LDL or bad cholesterol. Those with diabetes are predisposed, too, and women who are post menopausal. Most of these factors can be controlled, often by a healthy lifestyle. So before it’s too late, you ought to make means to prevent this threatening condition. The fundamentals of good health remain to be among the most crucial factors. By this, it’s the good old “exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet”. Incorporate a regular exercise regimen into your lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be strenuous and you don’t even need to buy costly exercise equipments. Nor do you have to spend for expensive gym memberships. Brisk walking is a good exercise for the heart, and you could do it for merely 30 minutes everyday. All you’d need are comfortable clothes and a good pair of shoes for that. Or you can make physical activity your lifestyle. Climb the stairs when you can, or perhaps you could park at the farthest end of the parking lot at work. When going to the mall, why not park a little farther as well from the store you intend to go to. Simple steps yet they keep your heart working well and boost its endurance. Then a healthy diet which should complement regular exercise. Try replacing at least 50% of the red meat that you eat with fish. Good choices would be mackerel, sardines, tuna and wild salmon. Saturated fats and trans fats are common in red meats and processed foods. They significantly contribute to cholesterol build-up in the arteries. And as a consequence, your arteries will become clogged. Tobacco use should be avoided, too. It is one of the major contributors to coronary heart disease. Instead of eating fried foods, opt for grilled or roasted ones instead. Skip processed snacks, but rather have fruits and vegetables. Like for instance, blueberries- they can help rid your body of LDL cholesterol or the bad cholesterol. Limit on your salt intake to lower your blood pressure. A condition called artherosclerosis causes coronary heart disease. It means there is a build-up of fatty plaque on the walls of the arteries. As a consequence, the arterial walls become blocked, and blood flow to the heart is hampered. This condition is detrimental, as coronary heart disease can develop. So mind your heart health by living a healthy lifestyle and you can spare yourself from the dangers of coronary heart disease. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Fri, 16 May 2008 10:39:42 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/high-blood-pressure1 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/high-blood-pressure1 Many threatening diseases play with the lives of people. They are those which entail serious consequences especially when ignored. Among these threatening diseases is high blood pressure, or also known as hypertension. High blood pressure tends to run in families, and it may be acquired through genetics. So when a member or members of your family have it, be wary. Be mindful so as not to get overly stressed. Stress can cause high blood pressure, and this can be detrimental. You also have to watch your diet and make means to have a healthy one. Avoid rich, fatty and high cholesterol foods as they can aggravate your condition. As much as possible, avoid disobliging habits as well, such as smoking and drinking. Most of all, have regular exercise and this can help in managing your blood pressure. So what happens when a person has hypertension? Hypertension happens when there is a rise in pressure of the blood circulating in the artery. High blood pressure is also a normal response to stress and physical activity. However, if it becomes persistently high, then it may signal something ominous. It may cause your heart and your arteries to be overworked. Arterial disease, heart attacks and strokes can then become more likely. There are two values for blood pressure measurement- systolic and diastolic. Systolic is used to measure blood pressure as it enters the heart from the aorta. As for diastolic, it means the blood pressure when the heart ventricles relax in between beats. Both of these are measured in millimeters of mercury or mm/hg. Abnormal levels would be more than or equal to 140 mm/hg systolic bp over 90 mm/hg diastolic bp. A reading above 140/90 is considered as abnormal at any stage. Measures should then be taken, such as seeking medical attention. What are the effects of hbp or hypertension? Primarily, there is coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is more likely to lead to heart attack and strokes. This is the main harm that hypertension can cause. Who are predisposed to hbp? Hbp can strike to both children and adults, but adults 35 and above have to be wary. They are more likely to be beset by the disease. Hypertension is seen to be common among African-Americans, middle aged people and the elderly. So is with overweight and obese people, heavy drinkers and women who are taking birth control pills. People suffering from gout or kidney disease as well as diabetes mellitus are more predisposed as well. As said, hbp can be acquired through the genes. When it runs in your family and you are predisposed to it, it’s best that you make means in warding it off. The best recourse is to live a healthy lifestyle. Engage in stress relief and management measures, exercise regularly and have a healthy diet. Do away with disobliging habits. These are the simple and basic means for you to prevent hypertension and promote your longevity. Your risks for heart disease, heart attacks and strokes will be reduced. More so, you will be able to enjoy a better quality of life free from the dangers of hbp and other threatening conditions. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:35:07 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/high-cholesterol1 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/high-cholesterol1 It always pays if you watch what you eat and when you exercise regularly. Doing so would make you lose weight, or better yet become fit and trim. What is said here is weight loss not just for looking good. More importantly, it has to do with you being optimally healthy. On the other hand, what will happen if you aren’t watching your diet? And worse, what if you have minimal physical activity or do not exercise at all? You will be at risk for developing obesity related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, to name a few. A poor diet and lack of physical activity are the foremost precursors to ill health. Take for instance, if you always eat fatty foods. If your eating habits involve fatty foods, you can be in danger of acquiring a threatening disease called high cholesterol. High cholesterol increases your chances of having coronary heart disease. And coronary heart disease is by all means deadly. Cholesterol in itself is not dangerous. In fact it is needed by the human body. This component is used by the body in the creation of cells, hormones and vitamins. Humans and animals, they all contain cholesterol in their bodies. Without it, the body cannot function properly nor can go about with its processes. The danger comes when there is too much of it in the body – high cholesterol. When you this condition besets you, you’ve got to take steps to lower your cholesterol level. Or if you don’t know yet, have your cholesterol levels checked. Blood tests are generally carried out for this purpose. A cholesterol level below 200mg/dl is considered by doctors to be desirable. Over 240mg/dl means that you are at risk for coronary heart disease while somewhere between 200mg/dl to 240mg/dl is considered moderately risky. There are three kinds of cholesterol- LDL, HDL and VLDL. LDL is the bad sort, and you have to be careful not to have increased levels of it in the body. As for HDL, it is the good sort and you have to make means to increase it to above 40mg/dl. As for VLDL, it is the sort which isn’t really important. This goes to say that you have to take steps to lower your LDL cholesterol levels. You can do so by eating less fatty foods and eating more of certain foods, like oatmeal. As for physical activity or exercise, try doing more of aerobic cardiovascular exercises. These health measures will not only lessen your risks for heart disease, but for other cardiovascular diseases as well. It is then that you can live a better quality of life as you don’t harbor the burden of living with a disease or medical condition. It is well worth the effort to make means to be healthy. You get to have more energy and vitality and in the long run you will enjoy longevity. So keep your heart healthy, and all of you healthy. In the end you’ll be glad you did as the rewards are countless. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Mon, 7 Apr 2008 08:32:56 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/cardiovascular-disease2 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/cardiovascular-disease2 Much of the population is made up of obese and overweight people. This can be due to lifestyle and dietary factors, genetics, or perhaps some underlying conditions. But often it is certain that being overweight and obese poses significant health risks. Among them are diabetes, stroke, heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. Cardiovascular disease remains to be among the foremost causes of deaths worldwide. Such a disease is often brought about by lack of physical activity and a poor diet. The importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet can indeed not be undermined. They are the pillars of good health, and they are crucial towards total wellness. They are the basics of attaining optimum health, and they can ward off cardiovascular disease. And if one has acquired the disease, a healthy diet and physical activity can alleviate the condition. Thus, risks of complications and mortality are reduced. But the fact is, obesity has become a worldwide epidemic. It is even more pronounced in the USA and Europe and other developing countries. Obesity can occur when there is an imbalance between physical activity and dietary energy intake. Simply put, lack of exercise and more food intake. This is the simple formula for the worldwide dilemma which is obesity, and many people have this tendency. Until such tendency becomes a habit, and the habit becomes a lifestyle. With this disobliging lifestyle can come the onset of cardiovascular disease. It has been an established fact that obesity causes insulin resistance and diabetes. There is evidence linking glucose dysregulation with cardiovascular disease and this needs serious consideration. How can obesity lead to a cardiovascular disease? Such a condition raises the heart rate, thus more strain is put on the heart. The body’s ability to transport blood through the vessels is also reduced. Diabetes is a common and noted cardiovascular disease, and it needs to be treated accordingly. Such would lessen the risks for aggravation and fatality. Other conditions related to obesity are prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, pulmonary conditions, musculoskeletal disorders and heart disease. The same thing can be said with certain forms of cancer. Such conditions account for a large percentage of overall health care costs. Morbidity and mortality rates in the US and globally can also be attributed to them. Seventeen million people die of cardiovascular disease every year. For the most part, such a fatality can be prevented by reducing risks factors. Unhealthy nutrition, lack of physical activity and keeping to the smoking habit are all significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease. They have to be alleviated, or better yet, eliminated from one’s lifestyle. One has to be mindful of their blood pressure and cholesterol control as well. One should exert effort on maintaining a healthy weight. The Western diet makes a large percentage of people predisposed to cardiovascular disease and this is a cause for caution. Along with a healthy lifestyle brought about by discipline, a good quality supplement can also aid towards achieving better cardiovascular health. One such product, Hypercet, is made available through the Healthzine store. Hypercet contains essential nutrients and natural components which could aid in better heart health and overall wellness. With Hypercet and a healthy lifestyle, the road towards well-being and a better quality of life is safe and promising. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:06:39 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-attack1 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-attack1 When somebody says “heart attack” what would probably come to mind is a sudden and deadly occurrence. This may seem to be so, but there are cases when such an instance can be prevented. There are other preceding symptoms before the sudden attack, and they should be heeded. And when these symptoms occur, it is imperative that medical attention is sought. People generally connote chest pain with the onslaught of a heart attack. Chest pain is indeed a common symptom, but it could be related to other conditions as well. The warning signs of a heart attack vary from one person to another. Among the other possible signs can be weakness or dizziness, shortness of breath, and numbness in the limbs. A heart attack can occur suddenly and at any time. More often though, there are warning signs before the real “attack” strikes. There are cases when the condition could occur without any warning. This, on the other hand can result to cardiac death. Or otherwise, one may experience angina for several days. Chest discomfort in which chest pain is included is one of the most common and vital signs. The intensity of chest discomfort again varies for each individual. Others would experience greater chest pain than some. For a few minutes or so, a sensation of fullness or pressure can be felt in the chest. Or otherwise a feeling of squeezing pain. This sensation can start spreading on to the shoulder, the back and the arms, and even on to the jaws and teeth. Pain can start radiating from the breast bone. Then it may creep into the left arm and then the shoulder. It can slowly move into the neck, the jaw and the teeth. In some cases, it may not be distinct pain but numbness which would radiate on the right arm and the shoulder. A common manifestation of a heart attack is also a marked weakness. This can occur with or without chest pains. When weakness goes hand in hand with chest pains, then that could signify a massive heart attack. Seeking medical attention when one suspects of such an occurrence is necessitated. It is estimated that 15% of sufferers experience fatality or death upon the first hour of the onset of symptoms. Sudden cardiac death may be instigated when there is significant damage on to the heart muscles, and when multiple coronary arteries are blocked. It is important that the symptoms of a heart attack are recognized and given immediate medical attention. Delaying recognition and not obtaining urgent medical treatment can lead to serious complications and death in many cases. Recovery is possible, although a range of complications may still be present. One must be keen then, and mindful of taking appropriate measures when they are predisposed to a heart attack. This could entail restrictions and lifestyle modifications. One may be limited in a sense, but this is expedient. That way, health detriments can be warded off. A medical expert’s guidance is essential for measures to keep to to maintain cardiovascular health, safety and well-being. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Mon, 3 Mar 2008 12:37:55 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/cardiovascular-disease1 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/cardiovascular-disease1 Many people are fatalistic about diseases. They believe that a disease may be a punishment or payback for bad karma. But this is not necessarily the case. Diseases are often caused by one’s negligence, such as when they allow their body to ingest harmful elements. When one is not mindful of their health and well-being, then an illness can strike. Take the case of a cardiovascular disease. Statistics about this condition is quite alarming. Nine hundred thousand people die each year because of it. It remains to be the foremost killer of men and women worldwide. Cardiovascular disease is also known as heart disease, and it is significantly associated with the clogging of arteries, stroke and the deadly heart attack. What are the causes of cardiovascular disease, and more so, how can one prevent it? One can be helpless when they are fraught with an illness, but an illness can be prevented. How is it to prevent a cardiovascular illness? One may well take note of the theory of relativity: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This should be applied to diseases, and yes, cardiovascular disease. Diseases are a natural phenomena, and therefore there are natural ways to prevent them. And natural disease prevention, this is often the basic and proven means. Obesity is among the primary causes of one contracting cardiovascular disease and they must be wary about it. When one is overweight or obese, it is more likely that they will develop another illness. And so, one must take time to be fit. Or more so, healthy and fit. This is where regular exercise and a healthy diet come in to prevent a cardiovascular condition. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are the pillars of good health, then and up till now. They are the basics, and they have stood the test of time. Regular exercise can go a long way in preventing illnesses. Exercise boosts the immune system and it strengthens the body and its organs. One will have lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels which contribute so much to cardiovascular health. But one must not just immediately exhaust themselves with physical activity. Before engaging in any form of exercise, one ought to initially check with their doctor. This would ensure that they are in good condition to exercise and consequences will not likely occur. Then a healthy diet, this should go with regular exercise. A healthy diet should be that made up of whole foods. Fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, whole grains and cereals, natural juices and the like. Rather than rushing to the snack bar or the fast food restaurant, one should take time to consuming healthy and natural foods. Natural supplements can also augment the diet, and they can fortify the so called pillars of good health. Countless of natural supplements are available in drug stores, the supermarket and the internet. But one should be wary of incredible ones manufactured by irreputable manufacturers. Simply said, one should resort to good quality natural supplements. That way, their efficacy is guaranteed and the road to good health is smooth sailing. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Wed, 6 Feb 2008 08:53:15 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-attack http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-attack People hear about “heart attack” all the time. And everybody knows that a heart attack is deadly. It can easily take away the life of its victim. But how much about heart attack does the majority really know? But is their knowledge really enough? Enough in the sense that would they know when they or somebody they know has a heart attack. Most importantly, would they know what to do when a heart attack happens? And can they spare their or somebody else’s life when heart attack strikes? How is a heart attack instigated? This condition is instigated when a blood clot blocks the coronary artery. The coronary artery is that which supplies blood to the heart muscles. When heart attack occurs, this can cause the death of a part of the heart muscle. What causes the blood clot? It is often found that the blood clot is due to a cholesterol plaque in the inner wall of the artery. Such is why it is necessary to keep the cholesterol level healthy. That is usually through a healthy diet and regular exercise. These can ward off high cholesterol and consequently reduce the chances of a heart attack. A heart attack often results to chest pain, heart failure and an electrical instability to the heart. This electrical instability often causes arrhythmia- a life threatening abnormal heart rhythm. Some warnings generally occur during the onset of an attack. Often it is chest pain, although generally, not all chest pains indicate an attack. But chest pain is among the most common symptoms of a heart attack, and one has to be wary about it. What is the characteristic of a cardiac chest pain? Often it is vague or dull, a band like sensation with pressure. There may be a feeling of heaviness or squeezing and other discomfort in the chest. But approximately a quarter of all heart attacks are silent- it means no chest pain. These incidences of silent heart attacks are more prevalent among diabetics. A heart attack is also more likely to occur early to late in the morning? Why is that? It’s because during these hours, the adrenal glands release more adrenaline. More adrenaline in the bloodstream can result to a plaque rupture. There are common symptoms of heart attack to be on the lookout for. There may be pressure on the chest, jaw pain, sweating and indigestion or heartburn. The victim may also experience arm pain, usually on the left, but it may be either. Other symptoms are general malaise, upper back pain, shortness of breath and nausea. Death from an attack can be avoided if CPR is applied within 5 minutes upon the onset of ventricular fibrillation. This is a kind of arrhythmia. It will also be helpful if paramedics arrive early. They can administer medications along with electrical shock. This is called cardioversion and this is applied on to the heart. That way the arrhythmia can be converted to a regular heart rhythm. A prompt CPR and paramedic assistance. These can increase the chances of an attack victim for survival. Being informed can spare a life, especially with threatening conditions such as a cardiovascular event. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:58:38 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-beat http://www.healthzine.org/Heart-disease/heart-beat Being physically active has everything to do with a healthy heart. Such is why regular exercise is necessary. Exercise can strengthen the heart and it is an effective stress relief measure. And it can do so much to promote heart health. Stress relief measures are essential. Stress can possibly lead to heart attack. During stressful situations, a person’s heart beat increases. When there is increased heart beat, it puts pressure on the heart. When the heart is pressured, then it can be very risky. There may be an onslaught of a heart attack. The heart is a very sensitive organ. It is in constant struggle due to various physical activities. By all means, the heart is exposed to constant pressure. Stress is inherent to living. Stress is also one of the foremost factors which putspressure to the heart. When the heart is pressured, there is rapid heart beat. Heart beat can be controlled with healthy people. By healthy people, it means those who are physically fit and active. As these healthy people are not likely to have aggravated heart beat, they are at lesser risk for a heart attack. The contrary is also true. Physically inactive people may not have strong and healthy hearts. Thus, a heart attack may just be lurking around the corner. The human heart beats primarily to circulate blood all throughout the body. In this sense, the human heart works just like an automatic pumping machine. The heart’s main objective? To purify the blood and to circulate it all over the body again and again. The human heart works continuously and it doesn’t rest. As it is very sensitive, the heart seriously reacts when the body is under stress. The body then should be able to handle the shocks and strains of stress. The body should be fortified. It should be healthy to withstand all the blows. The body then should be physically fit and strong. When it is, it is able to support the heart by giving it extra power. With little excitement, the heart reacts. It produces rapid heart beat. When rapid heart beat becomes aggravated, chest pains may occur. Or perhaps even a heart attack. The heart beat increases blood pressure. The rate of one’s heart beat is actually proportional to the pumping of the blood. There is heart beat when the blood is being pumped. When the heart beat increases, then it presses blood with high pressure. And high blood pressure can be dangerous. It damages the walls and tissues of the blood vessels. A physically inactive body is unable to control its heart beat. It is unable to support this action. That’s why physical activity must be inherent to one’s lifestyle. It is essential for a healthy heart and to control heart beat. A heart beat is a tiny little beat, but it is an indicator of life. The heart beat should be within its normal range. Otherwise, there may be rapid heart beat, or heart beat may get out of hand. Such instances are detrimental, so they are best prevented with good health. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy.