Archive for the ‘women’s heart problems’ Category

Women’s Heart Problems-Women, Hormones, and Heart Disease

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Did you know that as a woman, estrogen provides crucial benefits that may help you prevent or at the very least delay, women’s heart problems?

Here is what Arthur Agatston, MD of everydayhealth.com has to say about this important health topic:

Women, Hormones, and Heart Disease
http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/women-hormones-heart-disease.aspx

It may appear as though women don’t get heart disease because they tend to develop it later in life than men, largely due to the protective effects of natural estrogen. As long as women are having regular menstrual cycles, they enjoy a significant, although not absolute, level of protection. Naturally produced estrogen is linked with lower levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides and higher HDL (“good”) cholesterol. When a woman’s estrogen production plummets in her late forties to early fifties, she begins to lose her hormonal advantage.

Female hormones and heart disease.
For decades, experts advised women to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to protect their hearts as well as to relieve menopausal symptoms and strengthen their bones. Estrogen’s heart-protective properties looked so promising that nearly half of all postmenopausal female physicians took HRT, a rate higher than that of the general public, according to a 1997 study.

That all changed in 2002, when preliminary results from the Women’s Health Initiative, a 15-year research program, caused a dramatic turnaround in the thinking about HRT. Compared with women who did not take HRT, women who took Prempro, a combination of estrogen and progestin, had a startling 29 percent increase in deaths from heart disease, along with a 22 percent increase in total cardiovascular disease. These results stunned the health community and caused a great deal of confusion in the general public.

But as it turns out, the HRT story is probably far from over. A review and analysis of many of the published HRT studies recently appeared in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The authors pointed out possible explanations for the disparities between the earlier observational HRT studies of women who had chosen, in consultation with their physicians, to be on HRT and the more recent controlled trials. One factor that appears to be important is the timing of when HRT is started. Those women who begin it later appear to be more likely to experience heart attacks than those who begin HRT soon after menopause. In addition, much of the increased risk seems to occur in the first year HRT is started and may be due to an increased tendency to develop blood clots in the first year of HRT use.

I wish I could give women more definitive advice on this subject, but at this time the research is just too inconsistent. Whether beginning HRT earlier after menopause and perhaps at lower dosages is safer is frankly unknown at this time. Therefore, any decision on whether to begin HRT should be made with your physician after careful review of the potential risks and benefits for your particular situation.

JoAnne’s Story
“I feel younger now than I did 2 years ago.”
I’m 85 years old, and I have pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs). It can be very serious. When I went to see Dr. Agatston 2 years ago, I wasn’t doing well. I couldn’t walk across the room without getting out of breath. I was overweight and I felt terrible. He put me on a healthy diet and told me to get some exercise. Thanks to that, I’ve lost 40 pounds. I breathe a lot better now and I can do a lot more things. I like to walk, but I’m not a youngster. I go to the gym three times a week to walk on the treadmill and do the bike. I do as much as I can. When I get tired, I stop, but I feel much happier and I look much better.

feel younger now than I did 2 years ago. I used to eat a lot of sugar and a lot of junk. Now I don’t eat fried foods, and I don’t eat sugar. I don’t keep it in my house. If you visit me and you want sugar, you have to bring your own! Now I eat a lot of chicken soup with fresh vegetables. I take care of myself. I do my own shopping and my own cooking. I’m still driving. I never expected to make it to this age. But here I am, thanks to a great lifestyle.

I hope you benefited from this. Whatever you decide, you can always take steps each day to reduce the risk of developing women’s heart problems by eating right, exercising, and having the right mental attitude. When you do these this things, your heart will thank you for it!

Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newletter!

Women’s Heart Problems-The Connection Between Inflammation And Disease

Monday, December 21st, 2009

There are many reasons for women’s heart problems. However, few people realize the connection between inflammation and disease including heart disease. Here is what I mean by this.

As you are well aware, the human body is marvelously made with so many amazing intricacies and abilities. Amid its functioning is the work of the immune system to protect you.

Years ago, infection was the major cause of disease, including heart disease, and death. However, with advancement in personal hygiene and ways of preventing infection’s onslaught, deaths from this source declined. Today researchers have turned their attention to inflammation as the major factor in many chronic diseases, disabilities and deaths.

Inflammation is the body’s response to harm, which can result from bacterial, viral or parasitic infection, injury or trauma, stress, genetic abnormalities, metabolic disorders and even poor lifestyle choices, amongst other sources.

When the body is assaulted, the immune system kicks into gear. Immediately white blood cells are sent to the problem area to start destroying the damaged cells by secreting various inflammation-promoting chemicals. As such, these chemicals and the heat associated with them can cause the following symptoms: redness, swelling, warmth and pain. As well, flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue and aching may also be the result of inflammation.

The body’s normal and natural response to damage is called acute inflammation which is short-lived for the specific purpose it’s addressing. However, being overworked or impaired by things such as lifestyle factors, the immune system may either overreact or react inappropriately. In this state it loses its ability to tell good or healthy cells from bad or sick ones. As a result it starts to attack all cells of a particular type preventing that body system or region from ever healing. This causes chronic inflammation and gives rise to autoimmune diseases.

If the immune system attacks connective tissue the person is said to have lupus. If it attacks the beta cells of the pancreas, they are said to have Type 1 diabetes. If it attacks the joints they suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation of the airways is called asthma, inflammatory skin reactions are known as eczema and an inflamed bowel lining is called ulcerative colitis (Crohn’s disease).

Cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and women’s heart problems, Alzheimer’s, gum disease, allergies … and the list goes on, are all associated with chronic inflammation.

The saying ‘prevention is better than a cure’ can certainly stand its ground when you consider the above diseases. So what can be done on the preventative side? There are some simple, easy steps that taken daily can yield significant positive changes. If you follow these steps, the liklihood of your developing women’s heart problems, will be reduced.

1. Breathe Deeply. There is simply no other means of expelling body toxins faster.

2. Drink Enough Water. Many people are chronically dehydrated. To ensure you drink enough water, take your weight in pounds and divide it in half. Drink at least that amount in ounces per day. Drinking water will not only give you an energy boost, it will help you eat less and more importantly, will help your body flush toxins out.

3. Eat Quality Nutrition. More than quantity, the body needs quality nutrition as its fuel. Most authorities agree that the quality of today’s food is lacking in providing what the body requires to function at an optimal level. Therefore taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement is recommended. Search around to find nutritionally dense whole-food supplements that are readily assimilated by the body.

4. Be Active. The body was created to move. Research has repeatedly shown that your body functions so much better when you are active on a regular basis. To increase the likelihood of staying active, find an activity that you enjoy doing, or find a friend that you can exercise with so you can encourage each other to keep at it.

5. Get Enough Rest. A sufficient amount of sleep is needed by the body for repair and regeneration. It is recommended that adults get between seven and a half to nine hours of sleep every night. Of course, non-interrupted, peaceful sleep is the ideal! It is also suggested that the room be as dark as possible – the darker the better.

6. Deal With Stress. Emotions, inner turmoil, negative thought patterns and the demands of everyday life all affect the body’s ability to function. People need to have coping mechanisms in place that allow them to be at peace with themselves and others. Without this, the body’s immune system is never given any down time for it to be rested and repaired.

7. Be Grateful. There is a lot to say for simply stopping and counting your blessing each day. Yes at times life seems to deal you more than seems fair, but even in those hard times if you can find it within yourself to be grateful, the positive impact it will have on you physically will be well worth the effort.

This is not a comprehensive list, but starting to implement these easy-to-do steps will certainly aid your body’s immune system. You will develop a healthy heart too and limit ever having any type of women’s heart problems!

Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newletter!

Women’s Heart Problems-Why Phytochemicals Are Good For You

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Women’s heart problems is a major problem in our western culture. The factis, there are simple lifestyle and diet changes that women as well as men can decide to follow that will drastically reduce their chance of ever developing heart disease. If a women does develop heart problems, these diet and lifestyle changes can still help her overcome the disease.

As time goes by the typical western diet seems to increasingly contain more fatty processed foods and less natural plant based foods than ever before. The results of this disturbing trend can be seen in the alarming statistics on cancer, heart disease, stroke and many other degenerative diseases.

Aside from the obvious dietary problems of high fat, protein and simple carbohydrate intake is the considerably inadequate intake of plant based foods and all the health giving benefits they bring with them.

Enter Phytochemicals

Many people are aware that eating plant based foods add much needed fiber, vitamins and minerals to the diet but what is less well known is the many benefits of the phytochemicals that these plants contain.

Phytochemicals come in a variety of forms and different vegetables have higher concentrations of a particular phytochemical than others. Some of the main phytochemicals include:

Carotenoids – Found in broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, squash, sweet potato and yams.

Flavonoids – Found in cabbage, cucumber, parsley, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, soybeans and berries.

Isoflavones – Found in peas, beans and legumes.

Indioles – Found in brussels sprouts, cauliflower, turnips, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage and kale.

Lignans – Found in walnuts, flaxseeds and many other nuts and seeds.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Found in walnuts and flaxseeds.

Plant Sterols – Found in eggplant, soybeans, peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumber, cabbage and broccoli.

The list above is only a small segment of the entire phytochemical family which encompasses a very large and extensive range of nutrients.

Benefits of Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals act in numerous ways to assist your body in combating disease and health problems such as:

1) Help to protect the cells by blocking carcinogens that try to enter the cell walls.

2) Helps to fight the malignant changes within cells that have already been penetrated by carcinogens.

3) Appear to boost enzyme activity to increase the benefits of the various protective enzymes consumed within the diet.

4) Combines with numerous vitamins to boost antioxidants activity to scavenge free radicals before they can cause damage within the body.

Although it is not important to know the names and benefits of the large range of phytochemicals that exist, what is important is to understand that maintaining a diet that contains a variety of fruits and vegetables will combine the benefits of the phytochemicals and vitamins to help you achieve optimal health.

By reducing your high fat/processed food intake and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables you will greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to the ever-growing list of degenerative diseases which plague the general population today as a result of following a typical western diet.

It is not only the damaging effects of high fat, high sugar foods in the western diet that allow cancer, heart disease etc to develop, but the absence of the protective phytochemicals that are only found in plant foods as well.

By adding plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet you will bring a host of phytochemicals to fight the damaging effects of free radicals and carcinogens and give you a level of health that most people will envy. You will have a healthy heart and reduce the chance of developing womens heart problems!

Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve to Have A Healthy Heart” newsletter.

To Your Success,
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
SKype: Monique371
mentormonique@gmail.com

Heart Disease and Women: 6 Tips to Reduce Your Risks

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Heart disease and womem who have it  is concernful. However, on the other hand, it isss great to know there are thing we can do as women to reduce our risks. Today, we will talk about the rest of six things we can do to lower our risks.

These tips are taken from the site, “Go Red for Women”

http://www.goredforwomen.org/

Tip #1: Don’t Skimp on the Exercise!

Get Physically Active!
Couch potatoes, listen up! If you’re physically inactive you’re much more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.

Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity improves your cardiovascular fitness and helps reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. It can also help lower blood pressure. For most healthy people, the American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most or all days of the week to condition your heart and lungs.

You don’t have to be an athlete to lower your risk! Moderate activities such as walking, gardening, housework or dancing for at least 30 minutes on most days can help your heart. The time may be broken into shorter periods. If you’ve been inactive, you can start with 10 minutes of physical activity, then work up to more.

Tip #2: Watch the weight.

Obesity/Overweight
If you have too much body fat, especially if a lot of it is in your waist area, you’re at higher risk for health problems. These include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Women with excess body fat are at higher risk of heart disease, even if they don’t have other risk factors. Here’s some advice to keep in mind:

  • Try to reach a healthy weight, and stay there. To lose weight, most women should eat 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day, but not less than 1,200. Losing one to two pounds or less per week is considered a healthy weight loss. (One pound of fat equals 3,500 calories.)
  • Many overweight and obese women have difficulty losing weight. Stay with your plan! Even modest weight loss (5 to 10% of body weight) can help lower your heart disease risk!
  • Treatment of obesity and extreme obesity focuses on substantial weight loss over a long time. Beware of fad diets, programs and products that promise rapid weight loss. Work with your healthcare professional, registered dietitian (R.D.), or nutritionist licensed or certified by the state (an L.D. or C.N.). Together you can set up a sensible program of eating and physical activity that will help you reach a healthier weight and stay there.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) is a recommended way to estimate a person’s body fat. BMI assesses your body weight relative to your height. Calculate your BMI risk level. 
  • Check out our Physical Activity Chart. Based on your weight range, it tells you how many calories you can expect to burn off while doing many common physical activities. 

Tip #3:  Reduce Risk for Diabetes

Diabetes
Diabetes most often appears in middle age and among overweight people. But it’s becoming an increasing problem in children and adolescents. It affects many more women than men after age 60. Compared to women without diabetes, women with diabetes have from two to four times higher death rates from heart disease. (CDC – Women’s Health – Diabetes, 9/15/06)

While diabetes is treatable, having it still increases a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke. Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. This increases their risk even more.

If you have diabetes, it’s critical to have regular medical checkups. Work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes and reduce or eliminate any other risk factors. If you have a family history of diabetes, ask your healthcare provider for a fasting blood sugar test.

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