Posts Tagged ‘Heart Failure’

Obesity and Heart Disease-Knowing The Risks Can Keep You Healthy

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012
Picture of an Obese Teenager (146kg/322lb) wit...

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Everybody knows there is a strong correlation between obesity and heart disease. Too many people in our western society are obese which can resulting in not only skyrocketing healthcare costs, but also bring on numerous other diseases, including heart disease.

The good news is that by making a commitment to change your eating habits and lifestyle habits, you can reach a healthy weight again and keep heart disease at bay. Here is how:

Obesity And Heart Disease: Know The Risks
By Maureen Hamilton

With so many people suffering from obesity these days, particularly in developed nations, it is important to understand the health risks surrounding excess weight gain. Obesity wreaks havoc on your physical body, and damages your mental state of mind; the cardiovascular problems associated with obesity affect both your physiological and neurological capacities, leading to issues like diabetes, depression, and most notably, heart disease. Heart disease is one of the most common and dangerous risks that obesity poses to people, so let’s take a closer look at the relationship between the two and what you can do to avoid engaging your body in this destructive relationship.

Obesity is defined as being overweight to the extent that a person’s BMI (Body Mass Index) is over 30. Obesity can be caused by genetic factors, such as a thyroid disorder, but it is most commonly caused by overeating, a lack of exercise, and a diet rooted in sugar, trans fat, and processed food consumption. A person suffering from obesity will have high levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure, the leading factors that cause heart disease. Additionally, obesity can cause sudden chest pains caused by a decrease in oxygen to the heart (angina) and has been known to cause sudden death from heart problems or stroke without signs or symptoms.

As evidenced above, obesity and heart disease and related and cause a serious threat to your health. The good news is that you have the ability to reduce the risk of these adverse effects now if you take your life back into your own hands and start developing healthier habits. Even if you are obese, changing your lifestyle to include exercise and healthy eating will decrease your chance for heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol; losing just 10% of your body weight will reduce these risks and get your heart back on track.

While heart problems and obesity can be caused by genetic factors, the ball is really in your court in terms of avoiding these dangerous health problems. You have the power to shape and control your eating and exercise habits-it is up to you to choose a healthy lifestyle and then make the commitment to live it day by day. Visit a nutritionist, make a healthy eating plan, join a gym or make an exercise plan on your own. All of these things will contribute to your overall health and sense of well-being, and will help you to avoid health problems that can impede on your enjoyment of life or even cut it short.

About the Author

Maureen Hamilton is an Integrated Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner, Hypnotherapist and a Demartini Method Facilitator. Maureen has previously worked in many areas of health in Australia as well as overseas. Her health background includes training in general and midwifery nursing, mental health and children’s behavioural issues (including the effects of emotional trauma especially in children). Maureen is very much involved in promoting and assisting people to obtain optimal health and is absolutely committed to helping people to stop smoking and/or lose weight naturally using Hypnosis and NLP.
If you would like to find out more, visit http://masteryourlifepower.com and and talk to Maureen about your requirements.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6705864

Becoming healthy is up to you. Become educated and make the changes to fight obesity and avoid heart disease at all costs!

To Your Heart’s Health,
Monique Hawkins

Resources:

1. Most people love having clear arteries. Some people have just found out how to keep their heart arteries clear by taking a special vitamin called Vita Che. To learn more about this powerful supplement, visit Vita-Che-THE PRODUCT OF CHOICE FOR CIRCULATORY HEALTH! at http://tinyurl.com/d34e4yy

2. Forks Over Knives. Two doctors in this movie present, based on research, how going to a plant based diet can help reverse many diseases, including heart disease. To learn more http://www.forksoverknives.com/

3. The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments of Congestive Heart Failure. You can make a difference. http://www.congestive-heart.com/

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Heart Failure Treatment-New Treatments Provide Hope To Heart Patients

Monday, January 16th, 2012

For those who suffer from congestive heart failures, there are many heart failure treatments available to consider. Since congestive heart failure is so deadly in our country today, doctors have been been involved in on-going research to provide cutting edge treatments to their patients.

In today’s post, you will learn about treatments which show much promise to those suffering from congestive heart failure. It is my hope you will learn much and if you do have this disease, will be able to reverse it.

To Your Heart’s Health,
Monique Hawkins

Resources:

1. Most people love having clear arteries. Some people have just found out how to keep their heart arteries clear by taking a special vitamin called Vita Che. To learn more about this powerful supplement, visit Vita-Che-THE PRODUCT OF CHOICE FOR CIRCULATORY HEALTH! at http://tinyurl.com/d34e4yy

2. Forks Over Knives. Two doctors in this movie present, based on research, how going to a plant based diet can help reverse many diseases, including heart disease. To learn more http://www.forksoverknives.com/

3. The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments of Congestive Heart Failure. You can make a difference. http://www.congestive-heart.com/

New Treatments to Aid Congestive Heart Failure
By Mark F Hargreaves

Heart disease is one of the deadliest killers in the world to date. Congestive heart failure, a condition found secondary to innumerable major cardiac diseases, possesses its own high mortality rate. Fifty percent of patients who are diagnosed with congestive heart failure will die within the five following years. Scientists and researchers have always had problems understanding the exact mechanisms of the disease, and to find a cure.

Congestive heart failure begins as the cells in the heart die or stop working attributable to an event like a myocardial infarction (a heart attack) or ischemic heart disease. Whatever the cause, the heart is subsequently ineffective pumping blood throughout the body, resulting in the blood pooling in the organs and fluid building up in and around the lungs as sodium is unable to be adequately excreted, causing dyspnea that is the classic symptom of congestive heart failure.

Clinical research is being targeted at the treatment of the disease and the possibility of repairing the damaged cells in the heart. Current research is underway to measure new medications that would lend a hand in vasodilation, also as a calcium inhibitor that would not produce the higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmia seen with the medications currently on the market.

In the age of natural medicine, the power of the mind has been invoked in clinical trials to apply meditation and relaxation techniques to battle the tension on the heart that can be the breaking point for patients with congestive heart failure. Tension has been shown to negatively affect the body’s blood pressure forcing the heart to work harder and placing an undue amount of stress on a by this time feeble muscle.

The theory lies in the belief that by learning to maintain a low level of mental stress the heart will be less stressed and as a result less likely to fail completely, and the patient can be accorded a better prognosis.

Alongside the return to natural, holistic methods of treatment is an incredible advancement in clinical technology that was not available twenty or thirty years in the past. Scientists profess to have identified a set of altered genes that can cause a person to be more disposed to suffer from congestive heart failure and are using their current expertise of genes and the benefits of gene therapy in an effort to reverse the effect. In addition, medications to tamp down on the genes’ actions, like beta blockers and alpha-2 agonists are by this time available and being used in treatment programs.

Also being explored is the possibility of using stem cells to aid in correction of the damaged heart tissue. Clinical trials showed that patients in distress from congestive heart failure responded very favorably to an injection of their own stem cells into the heart, and while the exact means by which this causes improvement is as yet unknown. It is suspected that these cells either facilitate the growth of new vessels in the heart or act as a type of beacon, attracting the body’s own healing cells to the site of the harm and stimulating repair.

The possibility of growing healthy tissue from embryonic stem cells to be transplanted is also being explored, although the controversial nature of the employment of embryonic stem cells due to the compulsory destruction of the embryo makes this doubtful in the foreseeable future. Scientists have determined that adult stem cells just can’t provide an adequate supply of new cells to meet the needs of patients who have suffered from congestive heart failure.

Congestive heart failure is incredibly dangerous insofar as the body cannot reproduce the dead tissue cells in the heart; all the same, with modern advancements it is the longing of researchers everywhere to one day find a cure.

Mark has suffered with a congestive heart problem since 1994 and is now severely disabled. He maintains a website for anyone who wants information on congestive heart failure and heart disease in general. Visit http://www.congestive-heart.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1272320

Heart Failure Treatments-How CQ10 Can Help Heal Heart Disease

Monday, November 21st, 2011
Aggressive Supplementation

Image by dav via Flickr

Unfortunately, in our Western society, more and more people experience heart failure. The good news is that there are heart failure treatments which can help a person’s heart heal. The treatments can be with medications, herbs, or a combination of both. Today, you will learn how Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can help the heart heal.

Treatment of Heart Disease with Coenzyme Q10
By Greg Post

Since its discovery in the late 1950s Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has received much attention as a necessary compound for proper cellular function. It is the essential coenzyme necessary for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) upon which all cellular functions depend. Without ATP our bodies cannot function properly. Without CoQ10, ATP cannot function. This connection has made CoQ10 a very important object of study in relation to chronic disease.

In many cases the presence of chronic disease is associated with inadequate levels of CoQ10. But no area of study has received more attention than the relation between CoQ10 and heart disease. That is because CoQ10 is believed to be of fundamental importance in cells with high metabolic demands such as cardiac cells. A further reason the connection of heart disease and CoQ10 has gained so much attention is because heart conditions of many kinds are associated with chronically low CoQ10 levels.

CoQ10 is highly concentrated in heart muscle cells because of their high energy requirements. Add this to the fact that heart disease is the number one killer in developed and developing countries and one can see why the bulk of scientific research on CoQ10 has been concerned with heart disease. Specifically, studies on congestive heart failure have demonstrated a strong correlation between the severity of heart failure and the degree of CoQ10 deficiency. The lower the levels of CoQ10 in the heart muscles the more severe the heart failure. If indeed CoQ10 deficiency is a primary cause of congestive heart failure then, in such cases, the remedy is simple and cost effective; CoQ10 supplementation.

Congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart does not pump effectively resulting in an accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing when lying flat and leg or ankle swelling. Causes include chronic hypertension, cardiomyopathy (primary heart disease) and myocardial infarction (irreversible injury to heart muscles). Heart muscle strength is measure by the ejection fraction which is a measure of the fraction of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat. A low ejection fraction indicates a weak heart.

Several trials have been conducted involving patients with enlarged weak heart muscles of unknown causes. For those of you who like difficult phrases this condition (or variety of conditions) is known as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. In these trials CoQ10 supplementation was compared to placebo effects. Standard treatments for heart failure were not discontinued. The results were measured by echocardiography (a diagnostic test which uses ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures).

The overall results of CoQ10 supplementation demonstrated a steady and continued improvement in heart function as well as steady and continued reduction in patient symptoms including fatigue, chest pains, palpitations and breathing difficulty. Patients with more establish and long-term cases showed gradual improvement but did not gain normal heart function. Patients with newer cases of heart failure demonstrated much more rapid improvement often returning to normal heart function.

Papers numbering in the hundreds from eight different symposia have been written and presented on the effects of CoQ10 on heart disease. International clinical studies have also been conducted in the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and Sweden. Together these studies and the papers that have been derived from them demonstrate significant improvement in heart muscle function while causing no adverse effects.

One particular area of study involves diastolic dysfunction which is one of the earliest signs of myocardial failure. Diastole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is filled with returning blood. Because this phase requires more cellular energy than the systolic phase (when the blood is pushed out of the heart) it is more dependent on CoQ10. Diastolic dysfunction is a stiffening of the heart muscle which naturally restricts the heart’s ability to pump. This condition is associated with many cardiac disorders. Hypertension is among these disorders. As the heart muscles become stiff there is often a corresponding rise in blood pressure. When the diastolic dysfunction is reversed, blood pressure tends to lower as well.

In one study involving 109 patients with hypertension, CoQ10 supplementation was added to normal hypertension treatments. In an average of 4.4 months 51% of the patients were able stop using at least one blood pressure lowering medication. Some were able to stop using up to three medications. Another study produced similar results. In that study 43% of 424 patients were able to stop using between one and three cardiovascular drugs because of CoQ10 supplementation.

These examples are just a drop in the bucket. Diastolic dysfunction (and by proxy, hypertension) includes only a small sampling of heart conditions that respond favorably to CoQ10 supplementation. Other areas of research show great promise for CoQ10 treatments. Among these are cancer and AIDS. But such conditions are beyond the scope of this essay. CoQ10 is essential to the proper functioning of all cell types. It is not surprising, therefore, to find a diverse number of diseases that respond favorably to CoQ10 supplementation. Since all metabolically active tissues are highly sensitive to CoQ10 deficiency, we can expect to see CoQ10 research expand to many other areas of chronic diseases.

Greg holds degrees in science, divinity and philosophy and is currently an I.T. developer.

http://www.optimal-heart-health.com/coq10.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/14240

As you can see, if you are a person who is seeking heart failure treatments that are natural alternatives, CQ10 can be a very effective and great way to help your heart become strong again.

To purchase the high quality CoQ10 Plus, a powerful antioxidant enriched with Vitamin E and delivered in a rice bran oil-based soft gel capsule—the best form, according to bioavailability studies, visit http://tinyurl.com/7se6goy

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Heart Disease Diet Plan-12 Smart Eating Habits for a Strong Heart

Sunday, June 26th, 2011
A diet rich in soy and whey protein, found in ...

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It is unfortunate that in the United States today, more and more people are developing hypertension, having strokes and heart attacks, developing coronary disease, and many other illnesses. Much is due to popular errors regarding diet.

For those with heart problems and are looking for a heart disease diet plan that is easy to follow, these 12 healthy eating habits will not only develop a strong heart, but will also help you avoid many other illnesses.

Tip #1: Have your diet consist largely of fruits and vegetables prepared in a natural way that is tasty.

Tip#2:  To help prevent heart failure and obesity, use more whole grains such as 100% whole wheat break, rye bread, quinoa, oatmeal, etc.  Limit food prepared from refined white four such or bolted cornmeal.

Tip #3: Mix up your diet. Vary your diet in each meal, but don’t eat too many variations in one meal. Work on keeping your meals simple.

Tip #4: Eat sparingly of rich foods, keep your sugar intake to 3 teaspoons or less daily, salt to a half-tea spoon, and oil to 2 tablespoons. Avoid foods such as spices, greases, fried foods, baking powder and soda, and vinegar. If you like fruit juice and other concentrated foods, eat them in very small quantities.

Tip #5: Another good heart disease prevention and diet tip is to eat at the same mealtime daily and at least 5 hours apart. Your digestive functions work much more efficiently when you eat on a regular schedule.

Tip #6: Always eat a big breakfast and make it the biggest meal of your day. If you eat supper, keep it light (e.g. fruit and whole grains), and finish eating 2-3 hours before you retire for the night.

Tip #7: Don’t ever overeat.  In the United States, many of us do overeat and develop obesity and other heart problems. Eat all you need to maintain your health and enjoy your food, but don’t overdo it. Too much food dulls and depresses the mind, causes disease and fatigue, and will shorten your life overall.

Tip #8: Eat your food slowly. When you do this, you will increase your enjoyment and get more nutritional benefits from your food.

Tip #9: Drink plenty of water. However, do not drink with your meals or immediately before or after them.

Tip #10: Fast occasionally by skipping one to four meals. Fasting teaches you self-control and can be a good remedy for those who are too sedentary.

Tip#11: Do not eat between meals. This slows the digestion process and allows the food to ferment.

Tip #12: Try eating two meals a day. This can be good for those who are not only working on increasing their heart’s health, but who also need to eat fewer calories to lose weight. It is also good for those who are not very active.

These 12 heart healthy smart eating tips are simple enough for anyone to follow who is looking for an effective heart disease diet plan. What we eat and drink today will affect us in the future. So, by heeding these instructions, more than likely you can live a longer and healthier life!

 

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Congestive Heart Disease-Don’t Wait to Start a Prevention Plan

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

While a heart attack is caused by insufficient flow of oxygenated blood to the heart which causes damage to the heart muscle, heart failure results in inadequate blood flow to the body. The heart has been under so much stress from high blood pressure or other factors that it begins to enlarge and weaken.

Eventually, the flow of blood is so insufficient that symptoms of heart failure develop. These include swelling from fluid buildup in the extremities, fatigue and shortness of breath. It can take years for congestive heart failure to develop, and it isn’t until it is critical that many people begin to notice.

The key is not to wait until this silent disease creeps up on you. There is no known cure for congestive heart disease. Therefore, the time to start thinking about it and prevention is while you are still young and healthy. Two of the main contributing factors for congestive heart failure are stresses placed on the heart by hypertension and atherosclerosis. Keeping this in mind, developing and following a heart healthy lifestyle plan can go a long way in helping you prevent this deadly disease.

High blood pressure is not fully understood, and some studies show that women don’t respond to medications as well as men. Lifestyle factors can help lower high blood pressure and can even help people avoid medication. If you smoke, quit. Smoking constricts the arteries and increases high blood pressure. It is also believed to be a contributing factor to hardening of the arteries.

Most successful heart healthy plans focus on the positive rather than on restricted items. Set your mind to eating healthy foods. Plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits add an abundance of nutrients, fiber and artery protecting antioxidants to the diet. Lean meat and coldwater fish are good protein sources, but some of the healthiest cardiovascular systems belong to vegetarians! Whole grains, spices and herbs round out the diet. These same food help normalize blood pressure and prevent atherosclerosis, helping you prevent the occurrence of congestive heart disease.

An often-neglected area of concern is today’s overstressed lifestyle. This busy, noisy world, full of tasks to accomplish and environmental pollution takes its toll on our health and your cardiovascular system. There is considerably less debate in the medical profession today than there used to be about the benefits of being able to handle stress, both mental and physical. Try quiet meditation, contemplative walks, or yoga to distress yourself. Significant drops in blood pressure are seen when these activities become part of an everyday routine.

Do not forget exercise. Although there are hundreds of good exercise plans and plenty of advice regarding which routine is the most beneficial, studies have shown that any exercise is vastly better for your heart than no exercise. Find something you enjoy and can stick to and make it a part of your daily routine. If you enjoy yoga, try some of the more strenuous workouts. Jogging, walking, swimming and bicycling are all great ways to enjoyably exercise.

Yes, congestive heart disease is growing problem, but it does not have to be your problem. Do all you can today to make sure you heart stays healthy!

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885 anytime
Skype: Monique371

Obesity and Heart Disease – Why Being Overweight Can Damage Your Heart

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

There is a strong correlation between obesity and heart disease. Study after study shows a strong connection between being overweight or obese and the development of cardiovascular disease. Not only is an increasing risk found as weight increases, but it has also been discovered that the distribution of the excess fat also plays a role in promoting heart disease.

Recent findings conclude that belly fat is the most dangerous when it comes to cardiovascular health although the mechanism for this is not entirely clear. The importance of understanding the links between heart disease and being overweight are more critical than ever as an estimated two-thirds of American adults are overweight.

Obesity increases the risk for high blood pressure which damages arteries and leads to atherosclerosis. Additionally, hypertension can cause damage to the kidneys and direct damage to the heart. There is even a link between obesity, sleep apnea and heart disease. Many health care professionals fear that the epidemic rise in obesity rates will lead to a huge increase in heart disease in the United States and much of the Western world.

One long known factor in heart health and obesity is that the increased volume of blood means the heart must work harder and harder to adequately pump blood through the body leading to eventual heart failure. But what hasn’t been known until recently is the link between belly fat and heart disease. One possible cause of the increased heart health risk is that an accumulation of belly fat can increase the risk for Type 2 diabetes, a known cause of heart disease. Other ideas are that belly fat actually secretes damaging hormones that cause cardiovascular problems.

And if that weren’t enough, recent research is also showing an increase in congestive heart failure. This happens when the left ventrical of the heart becomes enlarged as it is overworked. Stress to this part of the heart is associated with high blood pressure but is seen in obese people without hypertension. The end result of congestive heart disease is heart failure.

All of these studies are discoveries are quite frightening, but something can be done about it! Health professionals are recommending that adults maintain a Body Mass Index BMI of less than 25. You can figure your BMI by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. Not as tricky as it sounds with metric unit conversion tools and calculators everywhere! So make it a goal to reach this BMI and maintain your weight at or below this level. Also keep in mind that the BMI alone says nothing about the distribution of fat on the body. Belly fat is the most dangerous as it attaches to internal organs and secretes hormones that can damage the body.

Losing weight is really quite simple if you remember the one simple rule that weight loss only occurs when calorie output exceeds calorie intake. There are no magic bullets, it takes managing your diet and increasing exercise. And do you know what? Eating a diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats and fish and getting regular exercise has definitely been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease! Even small amounts of weight loss can reap heart-health benefits.

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885 anytime
Skype: Monique371

Heart Failure Treatments-Weighing Congestive Heart Failure Treatment Options

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Heart failure is a growing problem in our society today. For those who experience this serious health problem, it is always very beneficial to know the various heart failure treatments that are available today. Today’s post will cover this very important topic with the following article.

Weighing Congestive Heart Failure Treatment Options
By Rob D. Hawkins

Searching for an effective congestive heart failure treatment is something that millions of Americans do regularly. After all, their life may depend on it. Nevertheless, there is no congestive heart failure treatment which can cure the condition, only those that are geared towards management. In this article we will briefly delve into the condition itself and examine a few of the more widely accepted congestive heart failure treatment options.

CHF – The basics

Our heart pump to the tune of about 100,000 beats a day supplying life giving blood and oxygen to our bodies. When CHF occurs the heart is no longer able to meet the body’s need for blood and oxygen and strains to keep up with the demand. This condition can occur at any age, can be brought about by the natural process or aging and/or diseases like atherosclerosis, and is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States.

Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath after only mild exertion, shortness of breath while sleeping, swelling in the legs and/or feet, unexplained weight fluctuation, and swollen neck veins.

Conventional congestive heart failure treatment options

The goal of any CHF treatment is to take some of the pressure off of the heart so it doesn’t have to work as hard. Diuretics may be prescribed in this pursuit to rid the body of excess fluid which has built up due to poor circulation. Prescription cholesterol medications may be prescribed to keep any additional plaque from building up and keep blood flowing freely through the arteries. Beta blockers may be prescribed to slow down heartbeat, lessen the hearts workload, and decrease the risk of irregular heartbeat. There are even drugs known as ACE inhibitors which dilate the blood vessels, reducing arterial resistance, thus taking some of the pressure off of an already overworked heart.

As you can see there are no shortage of options for medical professionals to consider, and we didn’t even get into the surgical possibilities such as balloon angioplasty.

Congestive heart failure treatment options from a natural health perspective

CHF is most often seen in seniors whose heart simply starts to wear out over time. In fact by age 80 the heart will have lost on average about half of its pumping power. It goes without saying that if there are any other extenuating circumstances a rough ride to the hospital emergency room could be in store.

Nevertheless, until that day comes there is a great deal that can be done naturally to hold off this deadly condition starting with lifestyle changes.

Common sense changes such as quitting smoking, only drinking in moderation, reducing sodium intake, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a low fat diet, drinking enough fluids for hydration but not so many as to put pressure on the heart, and daily doctor approved exercise that is appropriate for your level of general health are all excellent suggestions that should be implemented as soon as possible if you feel CHF is present.

Supplements are another area which could prove helpful. Examples would include molecularly purified fish oil, B complex vitamins, along with a natural cholesterol reduction supplement specially formulated to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.

In conclusion, finding a congestive heart failure treatment option that is right for you is a complicated issue that should be discussed in depth with your doctor. That said, recognizing CHF early and taking steps to manage this condition through natural means before it gets out of control could literally save you life.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of safe and effective high quality alternative health products, and natural living, for well over 10 years and counting. To learn more about natural remedies and natural health visit http://www.Purchase Remedies.com

Heart failure can be a life threatening health problem. However, the good news is there are many heart failure treatments available. Find one that works best for you and you can live a healthy life from here on!

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885 anytime
Skype: Monique371

Heart Patient Diet Plan – Why Garlic Helps Prevent Heart Disease

Sunday, December 19th, 2010
Allium sativum, Alliaceae, Garlic, bulbils; Ka...
Image via Wikipedia

For over 3,500 years people have recognized the amazing healing powers of garlic. Writings from ancient Egypt tell of garlic’s powerful healing properties with its ability to cure over 22 diseases. The Egyptians recognized that garlic was indispensable in healing those with heart disease, lethargy, and even tumors. Clay representations of garlic have been found in Egyptian tombs which represented their desire for good health during the afterlife.

Originating in Central Asia over 6,000 years ago, garlic as a healing and culinary herb spread to Asia, Africa, and Europe. Folklore tells of garlic’s ability to ward off the Evil Eye and even vampires. Sounds odd to us, but these were just some of the things that got the blame for illnesses. So garlic’s ability to ward off these evils may actually be closely associated with its health benefits.

Garlic is a potent herb. The smell comes from the sulfur compounds that also provide many of the health benefits. Areas of the world where garlic is used routinely have a much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease than Western countries, especially the United States, where heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women.

Although there is some conflicting data, some studies have shown that garlic helps normalize cholesterol levels. The allicin in crushed garlic is believed to stop the oxidation of LDL, a factor that leads to atherosclerosis. The antioxidant properties help protect blood vessels from the oxidative damage caused by free radicals, one of the main factors in atherosclerosis.

Garlic is also used to lower high blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the biggest risk factors in developing serious heart problems including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Garlic also thins the blood, helping it to flow freely. Another risk factor in heart disease is blood sugar levels that are too high. Garlic is effective in lowering blood sugar and aids in preventing late-onset diabetes.

There is a growing body of evidence that links bacteria responsible for periodontal disease to heart disease. Medical science has not determined yet the exact mechanism for this correlation, but there definitely is one. Garlic comes to the rescue again. One of the primary benefits of garlic is its strong antibacterial and anti-viral properties. The natural antibiotic nature of garlic helps the body fight infection. Whether it is periodontal disease, the flu, a cold or any other infectious illness, garlic has been shown to be as effective as many modern medications. Long used to fight serious diseases, it was utilized for typhoid, tuberculosis, and even the plague.

Although garlic supplements are an easy and less smelly way to get your garlic, adding high-quality garlic powder to recipes and sprinkling it on salads or sandwiches is an inexpensive and effective way to add garlic to your daily routine. Some of the benefits are lost with heat so add crushed garlic to soups and stews at the end of cooking.

Garlic can indeed help prevent heart problems. Make sure you include some in your diet each day!

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Heart Patient Diet Plan-How Garlic Can Help Prevent Heart Disease

Monday, December 13th, 2010
Allium sativum, Alliaceae, Garlic, bulbils; Ka...
Image via Wikipedia

For as long as 3,500 years, and probably much longer than that, people have recognized the amazing healing powers of garlic. Writings from ancient Egypt tell of garlic’s powerful healing properties with its ability to cure over 22 diseases. The Egyptians recognized that garlic was indispensable in healing those with heart disease, lethargy, and even tumors. Clay representations of garlic have been found in Egyptian tombs, to provide for good health during the afterlife.

Originating in Central Asia over 6,000 years ago, garlic as a healing and culinary herb spread to Asia, Africa, and Europe, primarily in the Mediterranean area. Folklore tells of garlic’s ability to ward off the Evil Eye and even vampires. Sounds odd to us, but these were just some of the things that got the blame for illnesses, so garlic’s ability to ward off these evils may actually be closely associated with its health benefits.

Garlic is a potent herb, the smell come from the sulfur compounds that also provide many of the health benefits. Areas of the world where garlic is used routinely have a much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease than Western countries, especially the United States, where heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women.

Although there is some conflicting data, some studies have shown that garlic helps normalize cholesterol levels. The allicin in crushed garlic is believed to stop the oxidation of LDL, a factor that leads to atherosclerosis. The antioxidant properties help protect blood vessels from the oxidative damage caused by free radicals, one of the main factors in atherosclerosis.

Garlic is also used to lower high blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the biggest risk factors in developing serious heart problems including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Garlic also thins the blood, helping it to flow freely. Another risk factor in heart disease is blood sugar levels that are too high. Garlic is effective in lowering blood sugar and aids in preventing late-onset diabetes.

There is a growing body of evidence that links bacteria responsible for periodontal disease to heart disease. Medical science has not determined yet the exact mechanism for this correlation, but there definitely is one. Garlic comes to the rescue again. One of the primary benefits of garlic is its strong antibacterial and anti-viral properties. The natural antibiotic nature of garlic helps the body fight infection. Whether it is periodontal disease, the flu, a cold or any other infectious illness, garlic has been shown to be as effective as many modern medications. Long used to fight serious diseases, it was utilized for typhoid, tuberculosis, and even the plague.

Although garlic supplements are an easy and less smelly way to ingest it, adding high-quality garlic powder to recipes and sprinkling it on salads or sandwiches is an inexpensive and effective way to add garlic to your daily routine. Some of the benefits are lost with heat so add crushed garlic to soups and stews at the end of cooking.

To Your Heart’s Health

Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com

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Cardiovascular Heart Disease-To Statin or Not To Statin

Friday, July 16th, 2010

We all know that cardiovascular hypertension, cardiovascular stroke, cardiovascular angina, cardiovascular heart disease risk factors, cardiovascular heart diabetes, and cardiovascular heart failure is on the rise in the United States and other countries. This is really an issue that should lead to a good discussion with your doctor. There is considerable debate and it is getting heated!

The debate about the use of statin drugs to lower cholesterol continues as new analysis of prior studies show that statins really did nothing to lower the death rate of patients with risk factors for cardiovascular heart disease. These are people who have not had a previous heart attack or stroke but are taking the cholesterol lowering drugs in an attempt to stave off a first occurrence of either one.

A second study brings into question the validity of a 2008 study that concluded one particular statin did prevent heart attacks. This would appear to be bad news for the pharmacological companies and for patients taking the drugs. It is primarily due to research that showed statins prevent heart attacks that these medicines are second only to antipsychotic drugs in sales in the United States. They are widely prescribed in hopes of lowering the risk for fatal heart attacks.

But, another study was recently published that showed statins had a beneficial result in preventing further incidence of prostate cancer in men who had surgery for this cancer. The debate over these medicines is a hot one. Many researchers and doctors are firm believers in the benefits to patients taking these medicines.

Lowering cholesterol, preventing cardiovascular disease, and stopping heart attacks is a goal that every physician wants to achieve. Both sides of the debate have the patients’ health in mind, but how best to attain that goal?

Some doctors and researchers now believe the risks to the patients are too great, the statins are not worth the hope of lowering fatal heart attacks and strokes. The most reasonable voice right now may be the one that advises doctors talk to their patients and explain that right now there are conflicting results and an intense debate. The issues will be clearer with future.

To Your Heart’s Health

Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
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